Very wet conditions forecast for May, June, July

Very wet conditions are forecast in  the extended weather outlook for the period May, June, July, the Hydrometeorological Services said in a press release last evening.

Rains are expected to be brief with moderate to heavy intensity but some days the occurrence of continuous rain can be expected with occasional outbursts of thunder.

The overall rainfall averages are expected to be near normal.

The Hydrometeorological Services is also advising the public to be especially aware of the Spring Tide occurrences, particularly during these heavy rainfall periods.

A spring tide event is being classified as those above 2.73 meters. Tides will be above this height almost every day this month and next month.

A spring tide event coupled with rainfall above the storage capacity of the drainage system would cause flooding in all low lying/coastal areas.

The release also noted that most of Guyana generally experiences two distinct wet seasons and two dry seasons.

Seasonal rainfall variability is generally the dominant characteristic of climate in Guyana and the annual rainfall distribution of coastal Guyana shows a bimodal pattern, which is a result of the ITCZ passing over Guyana twice a year.

The northward movement of the ITCZ generally brings heavy rainfall between mid-April and the ending of July, with a major peak rainfall in June. This is referred to as the primary wet season.

Southern locations of Guyana  lie close to the equator and so  this part would experience one extended rainfall period (mid-April to September).