LOCATION: 16.1 degrees North, 56.0 degrees West
DISTANCE: ABOUT 571 MILES EAST SOUTH EAST OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
MOVEMENT: WEST NEAR 18 MPH
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS: 40 MPH
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE: 1003 MB
The Meteorological Service of Antigua has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for the British Virgin Islands.
A Tropical Storm Warning is an announcement that sustained winds of 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph are expectedsomewhere within the specified area within 36 hours in association with a tropical cyclone.
Erika has remained weak though recent satellite data is showing an increase in shower and thunderstorm activity to the south and east of the centre. Forecasters continue to think that Erika will struggle for a few days as it encounters conditions that are not quite favorable. By late Thursday and into early Friday, as the storm tracks near Puerto Rico conditions may become favorable at that point.
At 500 AM, the centre of Tropical Storm Erika was located near latitude 16.1 North, longitude 56.0 West. Erika is moving toward the west near 18 mph, and a west to west-northwestward motion at a slightly slower forward speed is
expected over the next 48 hours. On the forecast track, the centre of Erika will move near or over portions of the Leeward Islands tonight and move near the Virgin Islands on Thursday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts. Some slow strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 105 miles from the centre.
The estimated minimum central pressure based on data from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft is 1003 mb.
Expected Impacts on Land
Sustained winds up to 30-35 mph with gusts to 50 mph are possible late Thursday in the heaviest thunderstorms. Scattered power outages are possible.
Rainfall
Rainfall amounts accumulating up to 3 to 5 inches.
Storm Surge
Surges are unlikely to exceed 1-2 ft.
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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.
