Tropical Storm Fiona's trajectory at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. Photo Credit: WEATHER.COM
The National Hurricane Center has issued a tropical storm watch for the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico — including Vieques and Culebra — as Tropical Storm Fiona makes it way to the Leeward Islands. The storm has also gained some strength, according to data from the Air Force's Hurricane Hunter Aircraft. The weather system is expected to impact the U.S. territories late Saturday and into Sunday on the current forecast track.
Meanwhile, tropical storm warnings have been issued for Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, and Anguilla, Saba and St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, Guadeloupe, St. Barthelemy, and St. Martin.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
Interests in Hispaniola should monitor the progress of this system. Additional watches or warnings will likely be required tonight on Friday.
At 5:00 p.m. Thursday, the center of Tropical Storm Fiona was located near latitude 16.3 North, longitude 55.4 West. Fiona is moving toward the west near 14 mph (22 km/h). A westward motion with some decrease in forward speed is expected through Saturday night, with a turn toward the west-northwest possible on Sunday.
On the forecast track, the center of Fiona is expected to move across the Leeward Islands Friday night and early Saturday, and move near the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico late Saturday into Sunday.
Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph (95 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next few days.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km) mainly to the north of the center.
The minimum central pressure based on data from the reconnaissance aircraft is 1006 mb (29.71 inches).
Wind: Tropical storm conditions are expected across portions of the northern Leeward Islands within the warning area beginning Friday evening. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area across the Virgin Islands on Saturday, and reaching Puerto Rico late Saturday or Saturday night.
Rainfall: Fiona is expected to produce the following rainfall
Totals:
Northern Leeward Islands, the British and U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico: 4 to 6 inches with isolated maximum totals of 10 inches across eastern Puerto Rico.
Eastern Hispaniola: 4 to 8 inches with isolated maximum totals of 12 inches.
These rains may produce flash and urban flooding, along with isolated mudslides in areas of higher terrain. Considerable flood impacts are possible across eastern portions of Puerto Rico.
Storm Surge: Localized coastal flooding will be possible along the coasts of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico in areas of onshore winds Saturday into Sunday.
Surf: Swells generated by Fiona are beginning to affect the Leeward Islands and will spread westward to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Friday and Saturday. These swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.
