The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories for Tropical Storm Grace, the seventh named storm of the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season, a press release VITEMA issued late Saturday has made known.
The storm, however, is expected to lose strength if it continues on the current path.
As of 5:00 this morning, the center of Tropical Storm Grace was located near latitude 12.4 North, longitude 28.5 West. Grace is moving toward the west near 13 mph, and this general motion with a slight increase in forward speed is expected through Monday night.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 45 with higher gusts. Some additional strengthening is forecast during the next 36 to 48 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1004 mb (29.65 inches).
USVI Forecast
According to the National Weather Service, it’s still too early to forecast Grace’s trajectory. However, computer model projections indicate that Tropical Storm Grace, if it continues on a westward track, will encounter a hostile environment of strong wind shear as it approaches the Lesser Antilles. This may weaken the system considerably or cause it to dissolve, VITEMA says.
The agency’s Director Mona Barnes is encouraging the public to monitor Grace very closely and to be ready to act if it threatens the territory.
“Stay prepared and informed,” Barnes said.
For information about storm preparedness visit: www.VITEMA.gov/plan-prepare,www.Ready.gov or www.Listo.gov.
Tags: tropical storm grace, us virgin islands, vitema
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