Tropical Storm Kirk Reforms, Expected To Pass Away From USVI

A tropical storm warning is now in effect for St. Lucia and Barbados, as Tropical Storm Kirk — which had disintegrated but was able to reform itself — heads towards the Lesser Antilles with winds topping 40 miles per hour, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 5:00 a.m. advisory. Aside from the warnings, a tropical storm watch is in effect for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within 36 hours.

Kirk’s path sees it passing away from the U.S. Virgin Islands to the far south, and even then, it is expected to weaken considerably, according to N.H.C.

Interests elsewhere in the central and northern Lesser Antilles should monitor the progress of Kirk as additional warnings or watches could be issued later today, N.H.C. said.

According to the 5:00 a.m. advisory, the center of Tropical Storm Kirk was located near latitude 11.8 North, longitude 52.7 West. Kirk is moving toward the west near 18 mph (30 km/h). A westward to west-northwestward motion is expected through Friday night. On the forecast track, Kirk is expected to approach Barbados and the northern Windward Islands Thursday afternoon and move into the eastern Caribbean Sea by Friday morning.

Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast until Kirk moves through the central Lesser Antilles Thursday afternoon and evening. Rapid weakening is expected on Friday after Kirk emerges over the Caribbean Sea.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km) from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1004 mb (29.65 inches).

Hazards affecting land

Wind: Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the warning area by Thursday afternoon, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area by Thursday afternoon or evening.

Rainfall: Kirk is expected to produce total rainfall totals of 4 to 6 inches with maximum totals of 10 across the northern Windward and southern Leeward Islands from Barbados and St. Lucia northward across Martinique, Dominica, and Guadeloupe. These rains may produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.