Tropical Depression Strengthens Into Tropical Storm Danny; Expected to Become a Hurricane by Thursday

The National Hurricane Center has upgraded tropical depression Four to tropical storm Danny as the system continues to steadily strengthen in the Atlantic, the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency announced this afternoon.

At 5 p.m., the center of tropical storm Danny was located near Latitude 10.9 degrees north and Longitude 37.5 degrees west. Danny is moving toward the west near 12 miles per hour and a motion toward the west is expected tonight, followed by a turn toward the west-northwest on Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 40 miles per hour with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Danny is expected to become a hurricane by Thursday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center.

Currently, there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

VITEMA Director Mona Barnes continues to encourage the public to monitor this system and to take steps now to prepare in the event the weather system impacts the Territory.

The National Hurricane Center will issue its next complete advisory at 11 p.m. tonight.