LOCATION: 16.7 degrees North, 60.2 degrees West
DISTANCE: ABOUT 294 MILES EAST SOUTH EAST OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
MOVEMENT: WEST NEAR 16 MPH
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS: 45 MPH
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE: 1006 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 expected somewhere within the specified area within 36 hours in association with a tropical cyclone.
At 1100 PM , the centre of Tropical Storm Erika was located near latitude 16.7 North, longitude 60.2 West. Erika is moving toward the west near 16 mph (26 km/h), and a west to west-northwest motion with the same 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 early Thursday, and then move near the Virgin Islands later on Thursday.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 45 mph with higher gusts. These winds are confined to heavy squalls to the north and east of the centre. No significant change in strength or perhaps some slight weakening is anticipated during the next 48 hours.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles from the centre.
The latest minimum central pressure reported by an Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft was 1006 mb.
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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.
