AT 500 AM THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM LESLIE WASLOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 20.8 NORTH LONGITUDE 59.5 WEST. LESLIE IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST NEAR 15 MPH AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS FORECAST TO CONTINUE TODAY. A GRADUAL TURN TOWARDTHE NORTH-NORTHWEST AND NORTH ALONG WITH A DECREASE IN FORWARD
SPEED IS EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. ON THE FORECAST TRACK THE CENTER OF LESLIE WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE LEEWARD ISLANDS.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 70 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. LESLIE IS CURRENTLY IN AN AREA OF UNFAVORABLE UPPER-LEVEL WINDS AND SOME FLUCTUATIONS IN STRENGTH WILL BE POSSIBLE DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS.
TROPICAL-STORM-FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 175 MILES FROM THE CENTER.
THE ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 994 MB...29.35 INCHES.
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
SURF AND SWELLS GENERATED BY LESLIE COULD AFFECT THE VIRGIN ISLANDS LATER TODAY. THESE SWELLS COULD CAUSE LIFE-THREATENING SURF AND RIP CURRENT CONDITIONS. THE ANTIGUA MET SERVICE HAS ISSUED A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR THE TERRTITORY. RESIDENTS ARE UGRED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE SURF CONDITIONS AND ADVISORY. WHEN SWIMMING AT THE BEACH OBSERVE BEACH SAFETY FLAGS AND KNOW WHAT THEY MEAN. TIP IF CAUGHT IN A RIP CURRENT TRY AND SWIM HORIZONTAL TO THE PULL OF THE CURRENT TO GET BACK TO SHORE.
THE
DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SYSTEM AND
PROVIDE UPDATES WHEN NECESSARY. PLEASE VISIT THE DDM’S WEBSITE AT
WWW.BVIDDM.COM AND SUBSCRIBE FOR FUTURE 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.
