While Tropical Storm Jerry is expected to hold just north of the northern Leeward Islands, the storm -- which the National Hurricane Center has said will become a hurricane today -- could bring tropical storm-force winds and heavy rainfall to parts of the northern Leeward islands tonight and Friday.
Tropical storm watches have been issued for Barbuda, Anguilla, St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, Saba and St. Eustatius. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
Interests elsewhere in the northern Leeward Islands should monitor the progress of Jerry.
Additional watches could be issued later today.
Governor Albert Bryan has called a press conference for 2:00 p.m. today to update residents on his administration's plans in preparation for the storm. The press event will be carried live on the Consortium.
According to N.H.C.'s 5:00 a.m. advisory, the center of Tropical Storm Jerry was located near latitude 16.0 North, longitude 53.2 West. Jerry is moving toward the west-northwest near 16 mph. A west- northwest motion at a slightly faster forward speed is expected over the next few days.
On the forecast track, the center of Jerry will be near or north of the northern Leeward Islands Friday and pass north of Puerto Rico on Saturday.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 70 mph with higher gusts. Jerry is forecast to become a hurricane later today, with little change in strength anticipated on Friday or Saturday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 995 mb (29.39 inches).
