Grace to Usher Beneficial Rain Into Drought-Stricken Northern Caribbean Islands

By Andy Mussoline, Meteorologist

September 9,2015; 9:33PM,EDT

 

 

Tropical Rainstorm Grace will bring an increase in showers to the northeastern Caribbean Thursday night into Saturday. While parts of the region will have beneficial rain, it will not be a drought-buster.
A batch of showers and localized downpours is set to arrive into the Leeward Islands Thursday night and continue through Friday. Antigua, Barbuda, Guadeloupe and Dominica will be among the first island nations receiving the rain.

In most cases, the rain will be beneficial, but it will not make up for the significant rainfall deficits in the region.
"This will not be a drought buster for the northeast Caribbean," said Senior Meteorologist Rob Miller. "While some places will receive some much needed rain, there are going to be parts of the region that miss out completely."
Persistent dry, dusty air and lack of rainfall during the early part of the Atlantic hurricane season deepened a historic drought across the northeast Caribbean.
"There have been huge deficits in the rainfall during this wet season [which runs June-November] across the northeast Caribbean," said Senior Meteorologist Bernie Rayno.
From June 1 through Sept. 8, St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands recorded only 32 percent of normal rainfall. St. Croix, also located in the Virgin Islands, recorded only 46 percent of normal. Farther west, San Juan, Puerto Rico, recorded just 60 percent of normal rainfall.

"Moisture from this system will bring Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands enhanced showers and perhaps a few thunderstorms later Friday into Saturday," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist and Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said. "...[Some rain] will eventually move into Hispaniola Saturday night and Sunday."
There will be some limits to the benefits of the rain as some of it will be heavy and will prompt flash flooding in the mountains. In some cases, the flooding can develop in a matter of minutes.
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Those who encounter water-covered roadways should turn around and find an alternate route. Air travel to the region may experience minor delays, but widespread cancellations are unlikely.
There can be some gusty winds as downpours swing through an area, but winds should not be damaging.

Wind shear will continue to persist over Grace as it moves across the northeastern Caribbean. While it will bring enhanced showers and some gusty winds to the region, there is little chance the rainstorm can re-strengthen over the region.
Dominica is still recovering from devastating impacts from Tropical Storm Erika late in August.
Tropical Depression Eight Forms in the Atlantic
Meanwhile, Tropical Depression Eight formed on Tuesday night about 220 miles east-southeast of Bermuda.
Satellite imagery of Tropical Depression Eight. Red and orange colors represent areas of heavier rain and thunderstorms. (Image/NOAA)
Should this storm intensify into a tropical storm, it will be given the name Henri.
The system will start to move due north later this week and may bring rain, wind and rough surf to Newfoundland into the weekend. This feature will not be a threat to the United States.