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Tropical Storm Earl formed overnight over the Atlantic Ocean, and the storm is expected to pass north of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Saturday night and Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center's 5:00 a.m. forecast.
According to N.H.C., the center of Tropical Storm Earl was located near latitude 18.7 North, longitude 61.4 West. Earl is moving toward the west-northwest near 13 mph (20 km/h), and this motion with a decrease in forward speed is expected through early Sunday. A turn toward the northwest with an additional decrease in forward speed is expected Sunday through Monday.
On the forecast track, the center of Earl is expected to pass near or north of the northern Leeward Islands today, and north of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico tonight and Sunday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts. Slow strengthening is possible during the next few of days.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 175 miles (280 km) mainly to the north and east of the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 mb (29.68 inches).
Rainfall
N.H.C. said Earl is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated totals of 6 inches, across the Leeward Islands, U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico thisnweekend. Limited flash, urban, and small stream flooding impacts will be possible. Rapid rises on rivers are possible in Puerto Rico.
Wind
Gusty winds, especially in squalls, are possible across the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico through the weekend, according to the report.
