ST. JOHN’S, Antigua-HURRICANE Bill has strengthened slightly according to the 11 a.m. advisory issued to the meteorological centre in Antigua, but is not forecast to impact the Leeward Islands at this time.
The release stated that Bill, currently a Category Two storm, is located roughly “1000 miles east-southeast of the Leeward Islands and 1200 miles east-southeast of the British Virgin Islands”. The release stated that the storm is travelling in a west-northwest direction at 16 miles per hour.
On its current path, Hurricane Bill should pass by the Caribbean later this week without impact.
“The system poses no immediate threat to the area at this time. On its present track, Bill is forecast to pass to the northeast of the Caribbean, away from any land mass,” the release stated.
The storm system has maximum sustained winds of nearly 105 mph “with higher gusts”, and is expected to increase in strength over the next 48 hours as it continues on its current trajectory toward Bermuda.
According to the National Hurricane Centre of the United States, which disseminates information to the meteorological offices of the Caribbean, “Bill could become a major hurricane within the next day or so. An Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter aircraft is expected to investigate Bill this afternoon”.
Though it is not predicted to impact the Caribbean, the severity of the storm combined with its proximity to the region has caused weather officials to ask the public to remain cautious.
“Residents should monitor the system, as a shift to the left of the forecast track could bring Bill dangerously close to the islands,” the Antigua Meteorological Office advised.
Further updates on Hurricane Bill would be issued at regular intervals, or as important new information develops.
Antigua News