BASSETERRE, St. Kitts-THE continued progression of Tropical Storm Ana has caused the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service to issue a tropical storm watch for the Federation and surrounding Leeward Islands.
“Based on Tropical Storm Ana’s current track and rapid forward speed, Ana could pass through or close to the Leeward and British Virgin Islands on Sunday night/Monday morning,” the latest update from the meteorological office stated.
It went on to note that the watch could be upgraded to a tropical storm warning as early as later today (Aug. 16).
According to the storm bulletin, the system is currently located near “latitude 14.6 north...longitude 54.7 west or about 532 miles...899 km...east-southeast of St. Kitts and about 567 miles...912 km...east-southeast of Nevis”.
Ana is rapidly moving west at a speed of roughly 20 miles per hour and a “turn to the west-northwest is expected within the next 24 hours”.
At this time, Tropical Storm Ana’s maximum sustained winds are at roughly 40 mph with higher gusts. According to the meteorological centre, the storm is not expected to become much stronger within the next 24 hours.
“Ana has not strengthened; however, because of an unusually high level of uncertainty with the forecast models, for continuity we will stay with the previous forecast [of it being a tropical storm]. Residents are therefore asked to closely monitor the progress of Ana for any further developments,” the bulletin stated.
A rainfall of two to four inches is expected from the storm “with possible isolated maximum amounts of 6 inches over mountainous terrain”.
The public is asked to make necessary preparations for the storm, if and when it should pass over St. Kitts-Nevis.
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