Warnings And Watches Being Issued Across Caribbean As T.S. Dorian Gains Strength; Warnings For USVI, PR Could Be Issued Later Tonight Or Monday

Tropical Storm Dorian has become better organized and continues to gain strength as it barrels toward a number of Caribbean islands in the Lesser Antilles.

According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm, which is expected to strengthen into a hurricane in the coming days, is also projected to impact the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico sometime this week.

Watches and Warnings:

• The government of St. Lucia has issued a tropical storm warning for St. Lucia.
• The government of Barbados has issued a tropical storm warning for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
• The government of Trinidad and Tobago has issued a tropical storm watch for Grenada and its dependencies.
• The government of France has issued a tropical storm watch for Martinique.

N.H.C. said the center of T.S. Dorian was located near latitude 11.5 North, longitude 54.2 West, and as of 5:00 p.m. today, it was moving toward the west near 14 mph. This motion should continue through tonight, N.H.C. said.

A turn toward the west-northwest is expected on Monday, with this motion continuing through Tuesday night. On the forecast track, the center of Dorian is expected to be near the Windward Islands late Monday or early Tuesday and move into the eastern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday.

Dorian’s maximum sustained winds have increased to near 50 mph with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is expected during the next few days, and Dorian could be near hurricane strength by Tuesday over the eastern Caribbean Sea.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center.

Impact on U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico

“While it is too soon to determine the specific time and magnitude of possible direct impacts to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands… interests in those areas should monitor progress of Dorian,” N.H.C. said.

Hazards affecting land

Rainfall: Dorian is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 2 to 4 inches in portions of the Lesser Antilles, with possible isolated maximum amounts of 6 inches.

Wind: Tropical storm conditions are likely in the warning area by late Monday. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area by Monday night or Tuesday.

Surf: Swells generated by Dorian will be affecting portions of the Lesser Antilles by late Monday. These swells could cause life- threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.