USVI Skies Already Cloudy As Tropical Storm Beryl Set To Pass South Or Near Territory

Tropical storm Beryl is expected to move near to or pass south of the U.S. Virgin Islands on Monday, the National Hurricane Center (N.H.C.) said its in 5:00 a.m. advisory on Sunday. The storm is gradually losing strength, though, and is expected to degenerate as it moves across the Eastern Caribbean Sea on Monday.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Dominica and Guadeloupe. A tropical storm watch is in effect for Barbados, Martinique, St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten.

N.H.C. said this morning that interests elsewhere in the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic should monitor the progress of Beryl.

According to the 5:00 a.m. advisory, the center of Tropical Storm Beryl was located near latitude 13.7 North, longitude 56.0 West. Beryl is moving toward the west-northwest near 20 mph (31 km/h) and this motion with an increase in forward speed is expected during the next couple of days. On the forecast track, the center of Beryl will approach the Lesser Antilles today, cross the island chain tonight, and move near or south of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Monday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Beryl is forecast to degenerate into a trough of low pressure as it moves across the eastern Caribbean Sea on Monday.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 mb (29.68 inches).

Wind

Tropical storm conditions are expected in Dominica and Guadeloupe tonight. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch areas of the Lesser Antilles by later today or Monday. Strong gusty winds are also possible in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Monday.

Rainfall

Beryl is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 1 to 3 inches through Monday across the southern Leeward and northern Windward Islands. Across Puerto Rico, rainfall amounts of 1 to 4 inches are expected. Across the remainder of the Leeward and Windward Islands and the Virgin Islands, rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are expected, with locally higher amounts possible.