Beach-goers on Simpson Bay Beach (Ellinger Paul photo)
Beach-goers on Simpson Bay Beach (Ellinger Paul photo)
SIMPSON BAY–A message about a heat wave as well as potential sunstroke deaths by an “equinox phenomenon” that has been circulated by a number of social media users in the last few days or weeks is a hoax, said the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten in an “urgent message” this morning. The Mat Office emphatically stated that the message about the equinox phenomenon “did not originate” from its offices. The hoax message warns recipients that this phenomenon will affect the country in the next five days, to stay indoors, to frequently take their blood pressure and temperatures are expected to rise to 40 degrees Celsius.
The Met Office said the name equinox means “equal night” in Latin. It is the day of the year when the sun is directly over the equator, therefore all points on the earth’s surface experience the same number of hours of daylight and darkness (12 hours each). This happens only twice a year around March 21 and September 23.
Although climate data globally and in some locations across the Caribbean shows that there has been an upward trend in the maximum daytime temperatures, this has not been the case based on the data collected at the Princess Juliana International Airport, said the Met Office.
Maximum temperatures are still within the normal range with the highest daytime maximum temperature recorded on June 6th 2010 as 35.2 degrees Celsius (95oF).
The Climate Predictability Tool (CPT) which is used to forecast temperatures indicates that night-time temperatures for St. Maarten and the northeast Caribbean from June to August are likely to be warmer than normal. However for daytime temperatures, there was little predictability therefore there is an equal chance for these temperatures to be either above or below normal.
On days when both temperatures and humidity are high, it will feel hotter and more uncomfortable, said the Met Office.
Residents and visitors are advised by the Met Office to take steps to remain hydrated. Persons in the construction field and/or doing other outdoors work should protect themselves from UV radiation especially on sunny days and pay attention to credible information from the Ministry of Public Health, Disaster Management and the Meteorological Department.
SIMPSON BAY–A message about a heat wave as well as potential sunstroke deaths by an “equinox phenomenon” that has been circulated by a number of social media users in the last few days or weeks is a hoax, said the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten in an “urgent message” this morning.
The Mat Office emphatically stated that the message about the equinox phenomenon “did not originate” from its offices.
The hoax message warns recipients that this phenomenon will affect the country in the next five days, to stay indoors, to frequently take their blood pressure and temperatures are expected to rise to 40 degrees Celsius.
The Met Office said the name equinox means “equal night” in Latin. It is the day of the year when the sun is directly over the equator, therefore all points on the earth’s surface experience the same number of hours of daylight and darkness (12 hours each). This happens only twice a year around March 21 and September 23.
Although climate data globally and in some locations across the Caribbean shows that there has been an upward trend in the maximum daytime temperatures, this has not been the case based on the data collected at the Princess Juliana International Airport, said the Met Office.
Maximum temperatures are still within the normal range with the highest daytime maximum temperature recorded on June 6th 2010 as 35.2 degrees Celsius (95oF).
The Climate Predictability Tool (CPT) which is used to forecast temperatures indicates that night-time temperatures for St. Maarten and the northeast Caribbean from June to August are likely to be warmer than normal. However for daytime temperatures, there was little predictability therefore there is an equal chance for these temperatures to be either above or below normal.
On days when both temperatures and humidity are high, it will feel hotter and more uncomfortable, said the Met Office.
Residents and visitors are advised by the Met Office to take steps to remain hydrated. Persons in the construction field and/or doing other outdoors work should protect themselves from UV radiation especially on sunny days and pay attention to credible information from the Ministry of Public Health, Disaster Management and the Meteorological Department.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/66658-met-office-equinox-phenomenon-hoax
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