As the territory continues to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, it — along with Puerto Rico and the wider Caribbean — must continue to deal with emerging disturbances in the Atlantic Ocean, as the hurricane season is currently at its peak (from mid-August to Mid-October, according to the National Hurricane Center).
In a 2:00 a.m. advisory, the National Hurricane Center (N.H.C.) said a tropical wave interacting with an upper-low pressure has been producing widespread cloudiness and showers extending from the Eastern Caribbean Sea, northeastward across the Lesser Antilles to the nearby Atlantic waters.
According to N.H.C., upper-level winds are not expected to be conducive for development while this system moves west-northwestward to westward at 10 to 15 mph during the next few days. However, locally heavy rainfall is expected over portions of the northern Leeward Islands and the Greater Antilles during the next several days, with a flash flood watch in effect for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands through late Sunday night.
There’s a zero percent chance that the tropical wave will develop further during the next 48 hours, and a 5 percent chance through the next five days, according to N.H.C.
“We are going to have a lot of rain and you need to be aware and prepared for that,” said Governor Kenneth Mapp during his press briefing on Friday, urging residents to take precautionary measures.
Tags: us virgin islands, weather system