SUMMARY OF 1100 AM AST…1500 UTC…INFORMATION
LOCATION…16.0N 52.0W
ABOUT 750 MI…1205 KM E OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…35 MPH…55 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 21 MPH…33 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…1008 MB…29.77 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…
* Saba and St. Eustatius
* St. Maarten
* Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, and Anguilla
Interests elsewhere in the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico should monitor the progress of this system, as additional tropical storm watches or warnings will be required for portions of those areas later today.
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
At 1100 AM AST (1500 UTC), the center of Tropical Depression Thirteen was located near latitude 16.0 North, longitude 52.0 West. The depression is moving toward the west-northwest near 21 mph (33 km/h) and this motion is expected to continue for the next few days. On the forecast track, the depression is expected to move near or north of the northern Leeward Islands by late Friday and near or north of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Saturday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is forecast, and the depression is expected to become a tropical storm later today.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1008 MB (29.77 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
RAINFALL: The depression is expected to produce 1 to 3 inches of rain with isolated maximum totals of 5 inches over the northern Leeward Islands, and maximum totals of 3 to 6 inches over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands through Sunday.
WIND: Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area by late Friday.
Information taken from the latest National Hurricane Center Public Advisory as of 10:00 am.
