Tropical Storm Watch issued for Lesser Antilles
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - METEOROLOGISTS and citizens and residents of the Lesser Antilles are keeping a close watch on Tropical Disturbance 14, which has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Lee.
In its 11:00 a.m. (Sept. 16) report, the Florida-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) indicated that the storm is located at 12.5 North and 33.1 West, about 665 miles or 1055 km West southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.
According to NHC, Tropical Storm Lee has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and its present movements tracked as west or 265 degrees at 12 mph.
Over the next few days a west-northwestward motion with a decrease in forward speed is expected, according to the NHC.
Meanwhile, islands in the Lesser Antilles are currently under a Tropical Storm Watch, with the development of Tropical Disturbance Fifteen.
The government of St. Lucia has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for that island, according to the NHC, while the government of France has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Martinique and Guadeloupe.
The Barbadian Government has also issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Dominica.
A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
With the disturbance currently located near latitude 12.2 North, longitude 50.5 West, the system is said to be moving towards the west near 22 mph (35 km/h), and a slower west-northwest motion is expected during the next couple of days.
Based on tracking information, forecasters are emphasizing that “the system is expected to approach the Leeward Islands on Monday”.
The NHC disclosed that the disturbance has maximum sustained winds near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts.
Tropical Disturbance Fifteen is expected to develop into a Tropical Cyclone later today, according to forecasters.
