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TROPICAL STORM WATCH ISSUED FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

TROPICAL STORM WATCH ISSUED FOR THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

August 21, 20121290Views

Image courtesy of Impactweather 

THE GOVERNMENT OF ANTIGUA HAS
ISSUED A TROPICAL STORM WATCH FOR THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

 

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH MEANS
TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN 36 HOURS.

 

RESIDENTS SHOULD RUSH
PREPARATIONS TO WEATHER THE APPROACHING CYCLONE.

 

 

AT 500 AM ECT…0900 UTC…THE
CENTER OF TROPICAL DEPRESSION NINE WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 15.2
NORTH…LONGITUDE 51.2 WEST OR 660 MILES EAST OF THE WINDWARD ISLANDS. THE
DEPRESSION IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 20 MPH. AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS
EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

 

ON THE FORECAST TRACK…THE
CYCLONE SHOULD MOVE THROUGH THE SOUTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS AND NORTHERN
WINDWARD ISLANDS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON…AND EMERGE OVER THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN
SEA BY THURSDAY MORNING.

 

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE
NEAR 35 MPH /30 KTS …55 KM/H WITH HIGHER GUSTS. STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST
DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS…AND THE DEPRESSION IS EXPECTED TO BECOME A TROPICAL
STORM LATER TODAY.

 

ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL
PRESSURE IS 1007 MB…29.74 INCHES.

 

HEAVY RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS,
ACCOMPANIED BY STRONG GUSTY WINDS ARE EXPECTED OVER THE NORTHERN LEEWARD
ISLANDS EARLY WEDNESDAY.

 

RAIN ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 5
INCHES ARE POSSIBLE OVER THE NORTHERN WINDWARD ISLANDS AND THE LEEWARD ISLANDS.
THIS COULD LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING IN LOW LYING AREAS. PEOPLE LIVING IN THOSE
AREAS SHOULD PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM SUCH SITUATIONS OR MOVE TO HIGHER GROUNDS

 

DANGEROUS SURF AND RIP CURRENT
CONDITIONS WILL AFFECT THE LEEWARD ISLANDS DURING THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. A
LARGE BODY OF WATER WILL PUSH AHEAD OF THE DEPRESSION AS IT TRAVELS WESTWARD.
THEREFORE, SMALL CRAFT OPERATORS SHOULD SEEK SAFE HARBOR AND SECURE THEIR BOATS
PROPERLY. SEA BATHERS SHOULD AVOID THE BEACH.

 

The Department of Disaster Management is monitoring the current system
and will provide updates when necessary. Residents are encouraged to make the
necessary preparations in the event the system poses a greater risk and in addition
to the Atlantic becoming very active. 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.