KATIA DOWNGRADED TO A TROPICAL STORM RESTRENGTHENING LIKELY

Current Location: 17.1N/51.7W

Geographic Reference: 750 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands

Movement: West-northwest
at 15 mph

Max Winds: 70 mph gusting
to 85 mph

Tropical Storm Force Winds: Extend out to 175 miles

Forecast Track Confidence: Average, due to reasonable model agreement.

Forecast

Katia is tracking to the west-northwest. A
gradual turn to the northwest will begin later today.

Katia remains a strong tropical storm this morning.
However, upper level wind shear is expected to decrease later today and Katia
should regain hurricane intensity. Forecasters still expect Katia to peak as
a category 3 hurricane late Sunday or early Monday. The confidence in the
intensity forecast remains about average.

Expected Impacts on Land

High waves could affect the north facing
beaches of the northern Leeward Islands this weekend. Outer squalls could
move over the far northern islands by late Saturday or early Sunday.

As this system has not passed the territory, residents
should pay close attention to the movement of Tropical Storm Katia.

The Department of Disaster Management (DDM)
will continue to monitor the system and provide updates accordingly. Please
visit the DDM’s website at www.bviddm.com and subscribe to our notification
link to receive further updates.

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.