Dominican Republic braces for increased rainfall from tropical wave

The Dominican Republic is preparing for a significant increase in rainfall as an active tropical wave, the remnants of Tropical Storm Dolly, approaches. The Institute of Meteorology (Indomet) forecasts that the system will bring accumulating rains from Sunday afternoon through Tuesday.

Gloria Ceballos, executive director of Indomet, explained that while Dolly lost its tropical storm characteristics due to unfavorable environmental conditions like dry air and wind shear, the tropical wave remains active. It is moving westward at approximately 41 kilometers per hour. "For us, this will mean an increase in rainfall, especially from Sunday afternoon, Monday, and still on Tuesday," Ceballos stated.

The system is not expected to directly impact the Dominican Republic as a tropical cyclone. Instead, it will position itself as a low-pressure area north of the country, near the Windward Passage. This will foster a trough, maintaining atmospheric instability and leading to several days of rain across different regions, accompanied by wind gusts in some areas.

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For us, this will mean an increase in rainfall, especially from Sunday afternoon, Monday, and still on Tuesday.

Meteorological models predict rainfall accumulations between 50 to 75 millimeters (2 to 3 inches) during the period of greatest incidence. These rains are expected to begin in the eastern and northeastern regions before spreading to other areas, including the Central Mountain Range, the north, and the southeast.

In response, the Center for Emergency Operations (COE) has activated its contingency plan. Director Edwin Olivares emphasized that the press conference aims not to cause alarm but to urge citizens to remain attentive to the phenomenon's evolution over the weekend. "We wanted to work today, a Friday, well in advance to deliver this message to the public," he said.

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We wanted to work today, a Friday, well in advance to deliver this message to the public.