Tropical Storm Danny Projected To Become Hurricane By Friday; Impact To Territory Uncertain

Tropical Storm Danny continues to slowly and steadily organize as it treks westward across the Atlantic, VITEMA announced this afternoon.

At 11 a.m., the center of tropical storm Danny was located near Latitude 11.2 degrees north, Longitude 41.1 degrees west. Danny is moving toward the west near 12 miles per hour, and a westward to west-northwestward motion at a slightly slower forward speed is expected during the next 48 hours.

Maximum sustained winds are near 50 miles per hour with higher gusts and some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Danny could become a hurricane by Friday. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center.

There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

The National Hurricane Center will issue its next complete advisory at 5 p.m. today. VITEMA  says will provide updated information on Danny as it become available.

USVI Impact Remains Uncertain

Due to uncertainty in its track and development, tropical storm Danny is only being forecasted for the next 120 hours or through Sunday, according to Roberto Garcia, Meteorologist-in-Charge at the National Weather Service – San Juan Forecast Office. Danny will encounter significant wind shear and a mass of dry air as it approaches the Lesser Antilles.

“The center of the storm should be very close to island of Guadeloupe on early Monday after that it is very uncertain,” Garcia said. “We are continuing to monitor the system very closely.”

The storm is not expected to intensify beyond a Category 1 hurricane, which carries winds of 75 to 95 miles per hour, Garcia said.

Mona Barnes, VITEMA director, continues to encourage the public to monitor Danny very closely and to be prepared to act in the event the weather system impacts the territory. The government agency is also maintaining contact with the National Weather Service at San Juan for updates on the storm’s track and has placed the Emergency Operations Centers and support coordinators on alert as the Danny continues to develop.