Environmental

Tropical Storm Maria Continues Quickly Towards the Lesser Antilles, September 8, 2011 (UPDATE 8 PM AST)


Miami, Florida—(ENEWSPF)—The National Hurricane Center is reporting that Tropical Storm Maria continues to move quickly westward towards the Lesser Antilles.

Summary of Watches and Warnings in Effect

A Tropical Storm Warning is in Effect For:

  • Guadeloupe

A Tropical Storm Watch is in Effect For:

  • Antigua, Anguilla, Barbuda, Montserrat, Nevis, and Saint Kitts  
  • St. Barthelemy, St. Marteen, and Martinique  
  • Dominica  
  • St.Maartin, Saba, and St. Eustatius

Interests elsewhere in the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico should monitor the progress of Maria.

For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your National Meteorological Service.

Discussion and 48-Hour Outlook

At 8 PM AST (0000 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Maria was located near latitude 13.2 north, longitude 53.6 west.  Maria is moving toward the west near 21 mph (33 km/h).  This general motion is expected to continue tonight, followed by a turn toward the west-northwest with a decrease in forward speed on Friday.  On the forecast track, the center of Maria will be near the Leeward Islands late Friday and moving over the northeastern Caribbean Sea on Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts.  Maria is forecast to weaken to a Tropical Depression during the next day or two while moving across the Leeward Islands and the eastern Caribbean Sea. However, if weakening does not occur, Tropical Storm Warnings will be required for some of the Leeward Islands.

Tropical-Storm-Force winds extend outward up to 175 miles (280 km) to the north of the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 mb (29.68 inches).

Hazards Affecting Land

Tropical Storm conditions are expected in the warning area late Friday and Saturday.   Tropical Storm conditions are possible in the watch area late Friday and Saturday.

Source: noaa.gov


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