BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - METEROLOGISTS are keeping a close watch at Tropical Storm Jerry in the Atlantic Ocean, and they are asking those in the Leeward Islands to monitor the system.
The Center of Tropical Storm Jerry, at 500 AM AST (0900 UTC), was located near latitude 14.1 North, longitude 47.7 West.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Jerry is moving toward the west-northwest near 13 mph (20 km/h) and a west-northwestward motion at a slightly faster forward speed is expected over the next few days.
The Florida-based Center said on its forecast track that the system would be near the northern Leeward Islands either on Thursday night or Friday.
Jerry’s maximum sustained winds have increased to near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts.
NHC noted that further strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, and Jerry is expected to become a hurricane by the time it moves near the northern Leeward Islands.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the center.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1004 mb (29.65 inches).
