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THREE TROPICAL SYSTEMS IN THE ATLANTIC…INVEST 99L TO BE WATCHED

THREE TROPICAL SYSTEMS IN THE ATLANTIC…INVEST 99L TO BE WATCHED

August 20, 20162236Views

A tropical storm and two tropical waves are in the Atlantic a sign that tropical cyclone activity is increasing.

Tropical Storm Fiona which was tropical depression 6, at 5:00 am was located near latitude 19.2 north, longitude 46.7 west moving toward the west-northwest near 13 mph. A slight increase in forward speed is expected over the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds remain near 40 mph with higher gusts. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles from the centre. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1008 mb.

A broad area of low pressure , associated with a tropical wave (Invest 99L), is located about 700 miles west-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands. This disturbance is producing a large but disorganized area of showers and thunderstorms, and any development of this system during the next couple of days should be slow to occur due to its proximity to dry air.  Environmental conditions are forecast to be more conducive for development after that time, and a tropical depression could form by the middle of next week while the system moves westward at 15 to 20 mph across the tropical Atlantic Ocean and into the eastern Caribbean Sea.

A tropical wave inland over western Africa is producing a large area of showers and thunderstorms.  This system is expected to move over water by late Saturday night, and environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development next week while it moves generally west-northwestward over the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean.

Presently the tropical systems highlighted do not pose a threat to the Virgin Islands. Fiona is forecast to decrease in strength and stay out in open sea and the tropical wave leaving Africa is a great distance out and will be watched. Forecasters however are concerned with Invest 99L as it has the potential to develop before reaching the vicinity of the Lesser Antilles. Some forecasters think this system has the potential of impacting the Northern Leeward Islands which includes the Virgin Islands as early as Thursday into Friday next week.

Residents are urged to monitor the systems and make preparations in the event the Virgin Islands were to be affected.

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/