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INCREASED TROPICAL CYCLONE ACTIVITY IN THE ATLANTIC

INCREASED TROPICAL CYCLONE ACTIVITY IN THE ATLANTIC

August 21, 20162552Views

Three tropical systems are in the Atlantic. Tropical Storm Fiona is moving further out to sea..Invest 99L is moving slowly west and a third tropical wave just off the African Coast is showing signs of development.

At 500 AM AST the centre of Tropical Storm Fiona was located near latitude 22.2 north, longitude 51.7 west and is moving toward the west-northwest near 16 mph. This general motion is expected to continue during the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 45 mph with higher gusts and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the centre a reduction of 20 miles since the previous 5AM forecast of yesterday morning. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1006 mb.

For Invest 99L this tropical wave is located about 1150 miles east of the Lesser Antilles with a slight change in development and strength. Environmental conditions are forecast to be marginally conducive for development during the next few days, and any development should be slow to occur.  This system is expected to move westward and then west-northwestward at 15 to 20 mph across the tropical Atlantic Ocean, through the eastern Caribbean Sea, and then near the Greater Antilles. At this time Forecasters still think Invest 99L will affect the Northern Leeward Islands and the Virgin Islands around the middle to the latter part of next week.

The third tropical wave which is in the far eastern Atlantic is showing signs of development and the National Hurricane Center has increased this probability to seventy percent. The system is associated with a low pressure and environmental conditions are expected to be conducive for development. Forecasters have indicated a tropical depression is likely to form during the next couple of days while the system moves westward and then northwestward over the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean.

As of this time forecasters are still paying close attention to Invest 99L as they feel this system has a high potential of affecting sections of the Lesser Antilles and some of the Northern Leeward Islands including the Virgin Islands as it moves closer. Residents are urged monitor Invest 99L and make preparations in the event the Virgin Islands were to be affected by this system.

The Department of Disaster Management will continue to monitor the systems and advise the public accordingly. Please visit our website at www.bviddm.com and subscribe for updates or join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bvi.ddm/

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.