Tropical Storm Watch Issued For USVI As Danny Maintains Its Intensity, Public Urged To Make Final Preparations

The National Hurricane Center has issued a Tropical Storm for the US Virgin Islands Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, Saba and St. Eustatius, VITEMA has announced.

A Tropical Storm Warning is also in effect for Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis, and Anguilla. Tropical Storm Watch has been discontinued for Guadeloupe, St. Barthelemy, and St. Martin.

Relation Story: Danny Preparedness: Everything You Need To Know.

At 11 a.m. the center of Tropical Storm Danny was located near latitude 15.8 North, longitude 57.3 West. Danny is moving toward the west near 15 miles per hour, and a westward to west-northwestward motion is expected over the next 48 hours. On the forecast track, the center will move near or over portions of the Leeward Islands late tonight or early Monday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 50 miles per hour with higher gusts. Some weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center. Tropical-storm-force winds are expected within portions of the warning area by late tonight.

Danny is expected to produce 2 to 4 inches of rain over the Leeward Islands, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico through Tuesday.

The National Hurricane Center will issue an intermediate advisory at 2 p.m. and a complete advisory at 5 p.m.

USVI Forecast

According to the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office at San Juan, based on latest forecast, Danny is expected to pass south of the Virgin Islands as weak Tropical Storm with sustained winds of about 40 miles per hour. On the present course and based on projections, Danny will make its closest point of approach to the territory on Monday night at 10 p.m. when the center of circulation will be approximately 36 miles south of St. Croix.

Rainfall associated with the outer bands of this system is expected begin to affect the entire territory on Monday evening, and rainfall will become more frequent as the day progresses. The bulk of rain is forecasted to occur overnight into Tuesday morning, according to Althea Austin-Smith, NWS senior service hydrologist.

The system is expected to produce accumulated rainfall amounts 1 to 3 inches of rain with up to 4 inches in isolated areas.

Marine conditions will also begin to rapidly deteriorate on Monday evening with waves projected at 12 feet and up to 15 feet at times, and winds at 30 to 35 knots with higher gusts.

VITEMA is encouraging to the community to make final preparations and to continue to closely monitor Tropical Storm Danny as it approaches the Territory and to stay tuned to local radio and television for weather updates and for information from local government officials.