BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Northern Caribbean could be in for more disruptive weather as the latest Tropical Depression shows signs of development.
In its mid-morning (Sept. 15) report, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) placed the center of Tropical Depression Fourteen near latitude 11.4 North, longitude 28.3 West.
The depression is said to be moving toward the west-northwest near 10 mph (17km/h), and a west or west-northwest motion is forecast during the next couple of days.
Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts.
The depression is also forecast to become a tropical storm later today, the NHC report pointed out.
The Antigua Met Office disclosed that showers and thunderstorms associated with a tropical wave, located about 1100 miles east of the Windward Islands, have become better organized since yesterday.
Environmental conditions are conducive for development, and a tropical cyclone is expected to form over the weekend, the Met Office said.
The Met Office advised that tropical storm or hurricane watches could be issued for portions of the Lesser Antilles on Saturday, and interests in those islands should closely monitor the progress of this system.
It noted that formation chance through 48 hours remain high at 70 percent, while over the next five days remain high at 90 percent.
According to some meteorologists, the Atlantic could see an increase number of hurricanes before the end of the season.
