The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) has officially declared the start of the 2026 wet season, marking the transition from the dry season with the arrival of the first tropical wave of the year.
The declaration was made on Tuesday 5th May 2026, following measurable rainfall recorded across parts of the country earlier in the day.
According to the TTMS, the official start of the wet season is marked by measurable rainfall of at least 0.1mm, attributed to either a Tropical Wave or the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) — the primary drivers of rainfall for Trinidad and Tobago.
Tuesday’s rainfall was linked to the first tropical wave of the 2026 season, which the TTMS had been tracking since it moved off the west coast of Africa on 30th April 2026. Classed as a weak tropical wave, it produced minimal but measurable rainfall across several parts of the country, with 2.1mm recorded at Piarco and 2.5mm at Charlotteville.
Despite the official start of the rainy season, citizens should not expect consistent rainfall just yet. The TTMS noted that May is a transition month, and rainfall episodes are likely to be interspersed with dry spells and Saharan dust events.
In fact, a moderate concentration of Saharan dust is currently creating relatively dry conditions in the wake of the wave, and the Met Office is forecasting dry conditions over the next couple of days.
Looking ahead, the TTMS rainfall outlook through May, June and July is for near-normal rainfall for Trinidad, while Tobago can expect below-normal rainfall during the same period.
With the Atlantic Hurricane Season set to begin on June 1st and run through November 30th, the TTMS is also turning its attention to the months ahead.
The Service noted that the upcoming hurricane season is expected to be influenced by the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which may reach moderate-to-strong intensity by the season’s peak. Historically, a well-developed El Niño has been associated with suppressed Atlantic hurricane activity — potentially offering some relief for the region.
However, Chief Meteorologist Carol Subrath-Ali issued a pointed reminder to the public not to be lulled into complacency.
“Even in a below-average hurricane season, a single direct hit can cause severe damage, making the season feel very active to those impacted,” the TTMS warned in its official statement.