| Date: Thu 02-Jun-1994 Paper Page: 1 Publication: Daily Nation THE FIRST DAY of the official hurricane season brought the first taste of fear to Barbadians yesterday morning. In the morning, the Meteorological Office advised Bajans of the potential for heavy storms within 24 to 48 hours. They were concerned then about the possible convergence of a mid-level low system and a higher level trough. But by early evening, the office reported the threat had diminished. They said it was unlikely the two systems would merge. "These things happen during the season. Lower levels in the atmosphere are more unstable because of the high degree of moisture," Acting Director of the Met office, Peter Drakes said. Of the impending hurricane season, Drakes said the Caribbean could expect some ten storms across the North Atlantic. Of these, he said six could become hurricanes and another two could be hurricanes of severe intensity. He said he could not say whether any of these storms would affect Barbados. It depends, he explained, on where they form and how they track. He said the first ten storm names of the season would be Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debbie, Ernesta, Florence, Gordon, Helen, Isaac and Joyce. |