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TROPICAL WAVE AFFECTING BVI TODAY – DISTURBANCE 1 MOVES CLOSER TO LEEWARD ISLANDS AND TROPICAL STORM LEE DEVELOPS

TROPICAL WAVE AFFECTING BVI TODAY – DISTURBANCE 1 MOVES CLOSER TO LEEWARD ISLANDS AND TROPICAL STORM LEE DEVELOPS

September 16, 20172002Views

A tropical wave will cause increased cloudiness and showers across the Territory today, Saturday, September 16. This will cause partly cloudy to cloudy conditions across the islands with a 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms developing.

The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) is also monitoring Disturbance 1 and Tropical Storm Lee which has developed in the Atlantic. Residents are urged to monitor the systems as they have the potential to impact the British Virgin Islands.

Disturbance 1

At 11:00 A.M, Disturbance 1 (pictured as Fifteen) was centered near latitude 12.2 degrees North, longitude 50.5 degrees West.  The system is moving toward the west near 22 miles per hour (mph).  A slower west-northwest motion is expected during the next couple of days.  On the forecast track, the system is expected to approach the Leeward Islands on Monday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts. Strengthening is expected during the next 48 hours. The disturbance has become better organized and is forecast to become a tropical storm later today. It could be near hurricane strength when it approaches the Leeward Islands early next week.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1008 millibars.

Expected Impacts on Land

U.S. and British Virgin Islands through Puerto Rico: Tropical storm conditions with strong wind and heavy rain are possible Wednesday through Thursday, resulting in flooding.

Tropical Storm Lee

Meanwhile, Tropical Depression Fourteen has now developed into Tropical Storm Lee.

At 11:00 A.M, the center of Tropical Storm Lee was located near latitude 12.5 degrees North, longitude 33.1 degree West or about 655 Miles West-south-west of the Cabo Verde Islands. Lee is moving toward the west near 12 mph.  A westward or west-northwestward motion with a decrease in forward speed is expected during the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 40 mph with higher gusts.  Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1007 millibars.

Please continue to monitor local media stations, DDM’s website (bviddm.com) and Facebook at BVIDDM for regular 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.