New tropical wave to approach Dominican Republic on Thursday

The Dominican Republic is bracing for a new wave of unsettled weather as a tropical wave approaches on Thursday, accompanied by a strengthening weather system that will bring rain across the country. The Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet) issued the forecast, warning of varied rainfall intensity.

Residents in areas like La Vega, Puerto Plata, Montecristi, San Juan, Santiago Rodríguez, Dajabón, Elías Piña, Bahoruco, Valverde, La Altagracia, Santo Domingo, and Barahona can expect the most frequent precipitation. The forecast indicates scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms from early morning, especially in eastern and northeastern regions and along the southern coast. By afternoon, locally heavy downpours, thunderstorms, and gusty winds are anticipated, particularly in northern provinces, the Central Mountain Range, and border areas.

In response to the potential for heavy rainfall, the National Emergency Operations Center (COE) has placed the Greater Santo Domingo area, including the National District and Santo Domingo province, under a green alert. This alert signifies a precautionary measure as authorities monitor the developing weather situation.

Beyond the immediate forecast for the island, Indomet is closely watching two other tropical disturbances in the Atlantic. The first, located southwest of the Cape Verde Islands, shows a 50% probability of developing into a tropical cyclone within the next seven days. While currently producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms, environmental conditions are expected to become favorable for some development, potentially forming a tropical depression by the weekend. The second disturbance, near the African coast, has a lower, 20% chance of formation in the next 48 hours and a 40% chance over the next seven days. Both systems are under continuous monitoring.

Separately, Tropical Storm Cristóbal formed on Wednesday, located about 1,335 kilometers west of the Azores. However, Indomet confirmed that due to its position and projected path, Cristóbal poses no threat to the Dominican Republic.