LOCATION: 16.0 degrees North, 54.4 degrees West
DISTANCE: ABOUT 675 MILES EAST SOUTH EAST OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
MOVEMENT: WEST NEAR 18 MPH
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS: 40 MPH
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE: 1006 MB
The Meteorological Service of Antigua has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the British Virgin Islands.
A Tropical Storm Watch is an announcement that sustained winds of 34 to 63 knots (39 to 73 mph) are possible within the specified area within 48 hours in association with a tropical cyclone.
Erika continues to be disorganized. Forecasters continue to think that Erika will struggle for a few days as it encounters conditions that are not quite favorable.
At 1100 PM AST, the centre of Tropical Storm Erika was located near latitude 16.0 North, longitude 54.4 West. Erika is moving toward the west near 18, 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 be near the Leeward Islands Wednesday night and early Thursday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts. No significant change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (to the north and east of the centre).
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1006 mb
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