25th August 2010 – At 5PM Hurricane Danielle was located near 20.7N/53.0W, or about 550 miles east-northeast of the Lesser Antilles. Danielle is moving to the northwest at 17 mph, maintaining a rapid pace, and is expected to turn northwesterly, then northward over the weekend. Maximum sustained winds remain near 85 mph, with the minimum central pressure holding at 982 MB. On its current track, Danielle is expected to pass well north of the Virgin Islands. Conditions appear favorable for some strengthening, possibly tonight or early tomorrow. Danielle should reach its peak intensity on Saturday, with maximum sustained winds of 110 mph, making Danielle a strong category 2 hurricane.
As of 5PM, the National Hurricane Center has upgraded Tropical Depression Seven to Tropical Storm Earl. It is located near 14.4N/32.2W, or about 500 miles west of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands. Earl is moving to the west at 16 mph with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. Minimum central pressure is 1006 MB.
Tropical Storm Earl is currently forecast to track to the west-northwest for the next 3-4 days, followed by a turn to the northwest and north. This should keep the center of Earl about 300 miles northeast of the islands of the eastern Caribbean Sea by next Monday, where its heavy squalls should not affect us. Residents are advised, however, that this forecast is very early, and conditions and direction may change.
The public is reminded that we will soon be in the peak of 2010 hurricane season. Residents should be looking at roofs, debris in the yards, windows, family emergency plans, Hurricane Supplies, location of shelters, securing important documents and valuable items, and other areas to prepare in the likely event that we are impacted by a storm.
The DDM will continue to monitor the system and provide updates where necessary. Please visit the Department of Disaster Management’s website at www.bviddm.com for continuously updated information.
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.
