The National Hurricane Center in its 11:00 a.m. advisory issued a tropical storm watch for the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, including Vieques and Culebra as Tropical Storm Karen is expected to approach the U.S. territories on Tuesday.
Additionally, a tropical storm watch is in effect for Trinidad and Tobago, the British Virgin Islands, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada and its dependencies.
A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
According to N.H.C., the center of Karen was located near latitude 12.5 North, longitude 61.7 West. Karen is moving toward the west-northwest near 13 mph and this general motion is expected to continue today. A turn toward the northwest is forecast to occur on Monday, followed by a turn toward the north on Tuesday.
On the forecast track, the center of Karen will move away from the Windward Islands later today, and then across the eastern Caribbean Sea tonight and Monday. On Tuesday, Karen is expected to approach Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles, primarily in squalls to the east of the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1006 mb (29.71 inches).
Wind: Tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area through this afternoon or evening. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area beginning on Tuesday.
Rainfall: Karen is expected to produce the following rainfall accumulations through Wednesday:
- Windward Islands: 3 to 6 inches, isolated 8 inches.
- Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands: 2 to 4 inches, isolated 6 inches.
- Leeward Islands: 1 to 3 inches, isolated 5 inches.
- Far northeast Venezuela and Barbados: 1 to 3 inches.
These rains may cause flash flooding and mudslides, especially in mountainous areas, the N.H.C. said.
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