NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The artic blast that is expected to impact the south Florida cost will not be felt in full force here in the Bahamas, according to Bahamas Department of Meteorology officials, who confirmed that temperatures will not be as frigid as expected.
A photo was circulated last week that purported to be a weather forecast indicating icy temperatures could be expected.
However, Office Director Jeffery Simmons told Eyewitness News that will not be the case.
“That’s what they call an arctic blast, because it’s going to be really cold, freezing temperatures up in the U.S., especially in the Northeast, because probably got as far south as north Florida and Georgia and those areas,” Simmons said.
“Yes, we do expect a cooldown as a result of this system as you come in on the weekend.”
The meteorologist added that temperatures, however, will continue to drop especially in the northern Bahamas.
“We could get like into the 60’s possibly into the 50’s especially is typically Grand Bahama and Abaco you know, in New Providence you know we could be in the 60’s during the nighttime especially.
“And you know how hot it was all along, it is a cool down for us you know but we don’t expect anything here like 40 here like that, not as a matter of fact for this one.”
Some rain is also expected to come along with the cold weather in the forecast throughout the week, and with the Christmas/Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade scheduled for the weekend and completely sold out there’s a concern.
However, Simmons said he didn’t want to preempt anything as he’s still in discussions with the Junkanoo Committee.
“I would rather not say that to you, and I’ll tell you why, because I’m working closely with Mr. Mortimer (Junkanoo Parades Chairman) and we will be doing some other briefing also.
“And, you know, we are watching things closely. As far as that is concerned, I spoke to Mr. Mortimer and I spoke at least twice today on that. And we’ve been every day throughout the week following this. You know, and we are watching it closely,” Simmons said.
Junkanoo Parades Management Team Chairman Anthen Mortimer explained that the committee is monitoring the weather in the standard process that they use every year and will start their 48-hour weather watch with MET office representatives starting on Friday.
“The official notice, where we determine if we’re going to is on Sunday and that’s going to be at 12 noon. We have another meeting with all people involved and we will meet at the PMT office downtown Bay Street.
“I can’t say nothing to anybody until we sit down and have that meeting on Friday […] Every year this is something standard everyone will be there and we will find out what is what.” Mortimer said.
