Tropical Storm Ophelia is centered near 13.0N/43.6W, or about 1105 miles east of Barbados. Maximum sustained winds are now near 60 mph. Movement is to the west at 16 mph. Ophelia is forecast to move just north of the northern Leeward Islands by this weekend.
Elsewhere, Tropical Disturbance 45 is a small area of low pressure that will soon move through northern Leeward Islands. It is centered near 17.8N/61.4W Maximum winds are 25-30 mph. Movement is to the west at 18 mph. The low will skirt the islands of the northeast Caribbean over the next 24 hours, bringing some heavy rainfall and gusty winds to the area. Wind shear should remain moderate, preventing much strengthening.
Forecasters have said that Ophelia will continue to track to the west to west-northwest over the next five days. Beyond then, an approaching cold front off the U.S. East Coast should cause Ophelia to take a northward turn between 65W and 70W.
The first squalls are likely to impact the Lesser Antilles during the day on Saturday bringing wind gusts to tropical storm force and rough seas.
Residents should continue to monitor the progress of Ophelia and make the necessary preparations. The Department of Disaster Management will continue to monitor the Storm and provide updates when necessary. Please visit the Department of Disaster Management’s website at www.bviddm.com and subscribe to the notification link.
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.
