Storm Bret can already be felt in Martinique: first warning signs and severe weather conditions. At Mount Pelee we have gusts between 70 and 90 km/h. On the flat, the strongest gusts reach 60 to 75 km/h. In the Sainte-Lucie canal, the average troughs are more than 3 m.
Jean-Claude Samyde • Published June 22, 2023 at 10:20 p.m., updated June 22, 2023 at 10:25 p.m.
Tropical Storm Brett will hit Martinique between late Thursday afternoon and next night (Thursday through Friday). Cyclone Red vigilance has been in place on the island since midday on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
Météo France, estimated position on 06/22/2023 at 15 UTC: 13.8 N 57.7 W, the distance from Martinique to the center of the cyclone phenomenon is 367 km. The storm is moving at a speed of 22 km/h – the pressure in the center: 999 hPa. Maximum wind over 1 minute: 60 knots (110 km/h), gusts: 75 knots (140 km/h).
Tropical Storm BRET is moving further west. Its center is likely to pass between southern Martinique and St. Lucia between late this afternoon and early next night.
Cyclone Red vigilance over Martinique from 12 noon this Thursday 22 June 2023 • ©Martinique la 1ère
In this configuration, La Martinique is in the strong wind zone. This further worsens the state of the sea.
At the peak of the event:
– On the Atlantic coast, average sinks can reach a depth of 4 to 5 m. Severe flooding and local flooding can be observed particularly between Vauclin and Salines.
– Between the Salines and Cap Salomon, the waves on the coast can reach 1m to 1m50.
Unusual waves can be observed. Waves can reach 6 meters locally in the Dominica Channel and up to around 7 meters in the St. Lucia Channel. The wind picks up significantly in the late afternoon.
At the peak of the event, the average wind blows between 60 and 70 km/h on the northern half of our island and between 70 and 90 km/h on average on the southern half. In the most exposed areas, gusts can reach speeds of 100 to 120 km/h and locally 150 km/h.
The first heavy rains are expected in the afternoon. Over the duration of the event, the total amount of precipitation can reach 120 to 150 mm, locally 200 mm. The phenomenon seems to pass relatively quickly and gradual improvement is expected from tomorrow morning, Friday.