28th August 2019 2:00 PM – As of 2:00 p.m., Dorian was located over St Thomas at latitude 18.3 North, longitude 65.0 West. Dorian’s maximum sustained winds are 75 miles per hour and the system has been upgraded to a hurricane. The territory remains under Hurricane Warning, which in this case means that hurricane conditions are expected in the territory within the next 6-12 hours.
Dorian is traveling northwest at 13 miles per hour. On the forecast track, the centre of Dorian will pass over or near the U.S. and British Virgin Islands this afternoon before moving out to the open Atlantic. Dorian is then forecast to move well east of the southeastern Bahamas.
Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph with higher gusts. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 20 miles to the north and east of the center of the storm. Although weakening is possible after Dorian moves across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, the storm is forecast to strengthen late this week and this weekend while passing near or to the east of the Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles from the centre.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 997 mb.
Impact on the British Virgin Islands
- British Virgin Islands can possibly experience hurricane conditions this afternoon
- Rainfall estimates in the range of 4-6 inches with isolated amounts of 10 inches are possible in some areas.
- Life-threatening surf and rip currents are possible with a storm surge of 1–2 feet
What to do
Stay indoors until after the hurricane passes. Keep monitoring the system as it progresses for any change in its path and intensity.
Monitor the DDM on social media and other platforms.
