The Tribune

AFTER two severe weather warnings, the Bahamas can expect a break from overcast and rainy weather by mid-morning today, but more showers are forecast for the week ahead.

Bahamas Meteorology Department meteorologist Shayvonne Moxey-Bonamy said no 'widespread rain' such as the kind the Bahamas has been experiencing this past week is expected for the weekend but isolated thunderstorms are likely.

She said a break in the dense clouds would likely come today and allow for 'some heating' of the atmosphere. However, the warm reprieve from the cooler, wet weather will lead to isolated thunderstorms over the weekend.

Into next Monday and Tuesday, the weather should be a little drier and the clouds less dense, compared to this week, before the chance of rain increases again, she added.

Although the rain has proved frustrating for Bahamians, Ms Moxey-Bonamy said the amount was not unusual for this time of season.

For May, the record of rain stands at 5.74 inches in one day with the average being 4.5 inches.

She said that from Monday through Wednesday, the Bahamas had around 3.95 inches of rain.

"The amount of rain is a little bit above the normal for this time of year," Ms Moxey-Bonamy said. "But we're already transitioning to the rainy season so it's not totally unusual."

A statement released by the department yesterday, did however, warn of likely flooding as a result of the rain.

"Isolated periods of heavy showers or thunderstorms are likely to result in localised flooding in the northwest Bahamas," the statement read.

Two severe weather warnings were also issued, one for Andros and New Providence and another for Grand Bahama and Bimini.

Radar and satellite data indicated clusters of strong thunderstorms extending from Williams Islands to Stafford Creek, Andros and approaching New Providence moving eastward, the warning said.

The same data also indicated an area of strong thunderstorms extending from West End to Freeport, Grand Bahama and moving northwards.

"Another line of strong to possibly severe thunderstorms across the Florida Straits continues to move across the Bimini Islands and to the Northeast," the warning continued.

The department said of both warnings: "Some of these thunderstorms will be severe at times causing strong gust winds, dangerous lighting, heavy showers and possible tornadic activity."