13th September 2010 –At 11:00AM the centre of Hurricane Igor was located near Latitude 17.5 North/Longitude 49.7 West, or about 968 miles east of the Virgin Islands. Movement is to the west at 10mph. Maximum sustained winds are near 150mph. Hurricane force winds extend outwards up to 45 miles and tropical storm force winds extend up to 175 miles. Estimated minimum central pressure is 933MB.
Igor will be reaching the western periphery of a large area of high pressure to its north today. This means that Igor should begin a gradual turn to the west-northwest and northwest later today. This track would take the center of Igor about 400 miles to the northeast of the islands of the eastern Caribbean on Thursday.
Some fluctuation in the intensity is likely during the next 48hous and Igor is expected to remain a powerful Hurricane for the next couple of days.
Although Hurricane Igor is expected to track northeast of the territory the passage of the system is expected to deteriorate marine conditions around late Wednesday through Friday. No marine advisories have been issued at this time.
TROPICAL STORM JULIA
The centre of Tropical Storm Julia at 11:00am was located near Latitude 14.9 North/Longitude 26.1 West, or about 115 miles west of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands Northern Leeward Islands. Movement is to the west-northwest at 14mph. Maximum sustained winds are near 40mph.
Tropical storm Julia could become a Hurricane in the next couple of days. At this time, the forecast does not project any impact from Julia on the Virgin Islands.
Residents are urged not to become relaxed, but to remain in a state of high alert. We are now in the peak of the 2010 Hurricane Season, and any preparedness issues not addressed earlier should be taken care of as soon as possible. Further advisories and information on developing systems in the Atlantic can be found on the Department of Disaster Management’s website at www.bviddm.com.
Disclaimer: The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) is not an official Meteorological Office. The Information disseminated by the Department is gathered from a number of professional sources used or contracted by the DDM to provide such information. This information is to be used as a guide by anyone who has interest in local weather conditions. By no means can the DDM or the BVI Government be held accountable by anyone who uses this information appropriately for legal evidence or in justification of any decision which may result in the loss of finances, property or life.
