CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The National Hurricane Center issued a Tropical Storm Warning for the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this morning, including Vieques and Culebra, which means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
As of 2 p.m. today, the developing weather system was centered near Latitude 14.1 North, Longitude 54.8 West. The system is moving towards the west near 23 miles per hour and this general motion should continue for the next few days. On the forecast track, the system is expected to move through the Leeward Islands on Wednesday and near or over the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Wednesday night.
Tropical storm conditions are expected to reach the Leeward Islands on Wednesday and spread into the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning.
According to the National Hurricane Center, the potential tropical cyclone will produce total rain accumulation of 3 to 6 inches with maximum amounts of 10 inches across the northern Leeward Islands, the British and U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Rainfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches is possible across the Windward Islands. This rainfall may produce life threatening flash flooding and mudslides, as well as potential riverine flooding.
Maximum sustained winds are near 40 miles per hour with higher gusts. Some strengthening is expected during the next 48 hours, and the system is forecast to become a tropical storm tonight or Wednesday.
Environmental conditions are expected to be conducive for additional development and a tropical storm tonight or Wednesday.
Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 230 miles primarily to the northeast of the center.
“We are urging everyone to make their last-minute preparations now,” said Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency Director Daryl Jaschen. “We anticipate strong winds and rain with this system. It’s important that everyone continues to monitor this system closely and stay informed about what local authorities are directing the public to do.”
To receive weather and other emergency information via mobile phone or email visit www.vitema.vi.gov to register for “Alert VI.”
The government of Antigua has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Antigua, Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, St. Kitts, and Nevis. The government of France has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Sint Maarten.
The government of the Netherlands has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Saba and St. Eustatius.
The government of Sint Maarten has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for the island country.
