Tropical Wave Forecasted To Bring Showers, Thunderstorms And Gusty Winds To Territory This Weekend; Urban And Gut Flooding Projected

The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) announced this morning that a tropical wave is forecasted to bring showers, thunderstorms and gusty winds to the territory this weekend.

According to the National Hurricane Center, as of 8 a.m. today, a tropical wave, designated as Invest 97-L, was located about 1200 miles east of the Lesser Antilles is moving westward at about 25 miles per hour. The associated shower activity is poorly organized, and given the fast motion of the system any development should be slow to occur. However, this system will likely bring showers and gusty winds to portions of the Leeward Islands and the eastern Caribbean Sea during the weekend.

The tropical wave is not expected to develop further but it is forecasted to impact the US Virgin Islands this weekend.

“We don’t think it will develop any further, however, we are expecting a good moisture surge in the area,” said Amaryllis Cotto, forecaster with the US National Weather Service-San Juan Forecast Office. “The tropical wave is projected to impact the area Saturday night and throughout Sunday. We will see an increase in showers and thunderstorms as well as windy conditions because it’s moving fast. For the USVI, urban and gut flooding is expected across the area as well some lightning over the surrounding waters and choppy seas, especially near showers and thunderstorms.”

According to Ms. Cotto, “it’s going to be significant area of that’s coming through. It’s a strong tropical wave and its expected to stay like that.”

Shower activity associated with a second tropical wave and a low pressure system centered a couple of hundred miles south of the Cabo Verde Islands, designated as Invest 96-L, has become better organized since Thursday. Some additional development is possible during the next day or two before the disturbance encounters a less favorable environment over the central tropical Atlantic next week. Chance of formation is medium, 40 percent, through the next 48 hours, and 50 percent through the next five days.

For more information about how to prepare visit www.VITEMA.gov.