Staff Writer 

June 18, 2023 – Forecasters are watching a system in the Atlantic with a very high chance of development but residents should be paying attention to the temperature as well according to The Bahamas Department of Meteorology.

In a weather update on Sunday morning, Magnetic Media was told “residents should avoid prolonged sun exposure and remain hydrated due to extremely high heat indices.”

As for the tropical wave, foresters say it has almost a 90 percent chance of development in the next few days making it very likely the region will see its third tropical depression of the year and possibly its second tropical storm.

The US National Hurricane Centre says showers and thunderstorms continue to show signs of organization in association with a tropical wave located several hundred miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.

Environmental conditions appear conducive for additional development, and a tropical depression is likely to form over the next day or two.

There’s no concrete path yet predicted for the wave but thunderstorms are expected for the Southeastern Bahamas including the Turks and Caicos this week. Flooding in low lying areas is possible. Even with the rain the department stresses that the heat will not let up. Temperatures in the high eighties are expected and the forecast for the TCI is ‘hot’.

Magnetic Media would like to acquaint residents with the World Health Organization’s tips for keeping safe during extreme temperatures; they include:

• Move to the coolest room in the home, especially at night.
• If it is not possible to keep your home cool, spend 2-3 hours of the day in a cool place (such as an airconditioned public building).
• Avoid going outside during the hottest time of the day.
• Avoid strenuous physical activity if you can. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 04:00 and 07:00.
• Stay in the shade.
• NEVER leave children or animals in parked vehicles.

Tropical Wave 1 is about 700 miles off the Cabo Verde Islands, with showers and thunderstorms and over the next five days there is a 40% chance that this system will become stronger.  Tropical wave 2 is just off shore at the west African coast; it is described as having disorganized showers and thunderstorm activity.    Over the next five days, there is a 30% chance this system will become stronger.

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