Danny Weakens Further, Territory To Begin Feeling Impact at 7PM On Monday, Tropical Storm Watch In Effect For Portions Of Leeward Islands

As Hurricane Danny continues to weaken, the storm is expected to impact the territory as a tropical storm on Monday night, a joint press release from VITEMA and Government House, issued this evening, has made known.

Tropical storm watches are in effect for portions of Leeward Islands as a weakening Hurricane Danny makes its approach to the area. Tropical storm watch is in effect for Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, Guadeloupe, St. Barthelemy, and St. Martin. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

At 5 p.m., the center of Hurricane Danny was located near latitude 15.8 degrees north, longitude 53.3 degrees west. Danny is moving toward the west-northwest near 14 miles per hour. A turn toward the west is expected tonight, with this motion continuing through Monday. On the forecast track, the center of Danny is expected to be near the Leeward Islands by Sunday night or Monday morning. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 75 miles per hour with higher gusts. Additional weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Danny is expected to weaken below hurricane strength before it reaches the Leeward Islands.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 60 miles.

Potential USVI Impact

Based on its current track, the US Virgin Islands and its coastal waters will begin to feel the effects of Danny at about 7 p.m. on Monday, with the system making its closest approach near to St. Thomas-St. John on late Monday night, according to the National Weather Service – Weather Forecast Office at San Juan. Danny is expected to be a tropical storm at that time with sustained winds of 50 miles per hour.

Rainfall Projections

Danny is expected to produce 2 to 4 inches of rain over the Leeward Islands through Monday. No other information is available. According to the National Weather Service, the size of Hurricane Danny – relatively small – and the uncertainty with the system’s trajectory continues to make it difficult to forecast rainfall. A slight shift in the storm could mean rainfall would remain over coastal waters.

The next intermediate advisory is at 8 p.m. and the complete advisory will be issued at 11 p.m.

VITEMA joins the National Weather Service in advising the marine community to remain vigilant to the evolution of Tropical Cyclone Danny. Marine conditions may rapidly deteriorate as Danny makes it approach to the Virgin Islands.

VITEMA Director Mona Barnes is urging the public to make final preparations for the arrival of storm weather conditions and to stay informed and vigilant.