A flash flood watch remains in effect from 6 a.m. through this evening as a strong tropical wave, designated as Invest 97 L, approaches the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency said early today.
According the US National Weather Service – San Juan Forecast Office, the tropical wave will continue to approach the local islands overnight hours into this morning. Showers and thunderstorms are expected to increase overnight and spread across the region through the day today.
The potential of flooding rains is high for both the USVI and Puerto Rico. Projections are for between 2 and 4 inches of accumulated rainfall with higher amounts in isolated areas. Localized flash flooding and landslides are likely in areas of persistent heavy rainfall.
VITEMA Director Mona Barnes is urging the motoring public to proceed with extreme caution on local roadways, particularly in areas prone to flash flooding.
According the National Hurricane Center, as of 2 a.m., the fast-moving tropical wave was nearing the Lesser Antilles. Although showers and thunderstorms are fairly well organized, there are no signs of a closed surface circulation. However, this system has the potential for some slow development during the next couple of days. The best chance for tropical cyclone formation is likely to be by the early to middle part of next week when the wave reaches the western Caribbean Sea.
Formation chance through 48 hours is medium, 40 percent. Formation chance through the next five days is high, 70 percent.
Tags: flash flood warning, tropical wave, us virgin islands
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