On May 19, the Meteorological Service of Suriname has issued an official weather advisory warning residents across the country to prepare for scattered periods of heavy rain, intense thunderstorms, and localized flash flooding that could disrupt daily activities.
According to the service’s forecast, the threat of severe thunderstorms will begin rising in the morning hours, with coastal areas facing the highest initial risk. As the day progresses into the afternoon, cloud cover will continue to thicken across the nation, bringing light to moderate rain showers to both coastal districts and inland regions. Forecasters note that some of these showers will rapidly intensify into full-blown severe thunderstorms, bringing dangerous weather conditions to affected areas.
The primary hazard highlighted in the advisory is localized waterlogging and flooding triggered by extremely heavy rainfall in concentrated areas. Officials have issued a special recommendation for residents living in low-lying communities: remain vigilant for rising water levels, and prepare for hazardous driving conditions including slippery road surfaces and severely reduced visibility during intense storm cells.
Meteorologists link the unstable weather pattern to moist air currents moving across northern South America, combined with a persistent active thunderstorm system anchored across the broader region. The same active weather zone stretching from the Atlantic basin has already brought severe thunderstorms and heavy downpours to neighboring countries, including Guyana, French Guiana, and portions of northern Brazil.
Wind conditions are expected to remain relatively mild overall, with shifting directions between the northeast and southeast and sustained speeds averaging up to 13 kilometers per hour. However, localized gusts accompanying thunderstorms can temporarily spike to around 31 kilometers per hour, creating minor additional hazards for outdoor activity.
Temperatures for the day are forecast to hit a high of 31 degrees Celsius, with overnight lows dropping to approximately 21 degrees Celsius as storm activity eases.