Graphic of the 2021 Hurricane Season's Tropical Depression Seven By. THE WEATHER CHANNEL
The National Hurricane Center on Friday issued a tropical storm watch for the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, including Vieques and Culebra as Tropical Depression Seven has formed and is projected to gain strength as it gets closer to the U.S. territories.
N.H.C. says a tropical storm watch means that tropical-storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
Interests elsewhere in the Leeward Islands, as well as the Dominican Republic, should monitor the progress of this system. Additional watches and warnings will likely be required for these areas tonight or on Saturday, N.H.C. said.
According to the National Hurricane Center's 5:00 p.m. Friday forecast, the center of Tropical Depression Seven was located near latitude 15.4 North, longitude 51.8 West. The depression is moving toward the west near 22 mph (35 km/h). A motion toward the west or west-northwest with a gradual decrease in forward speed is expected during the next few days. On the forecast track, the center of the depression is forecast to move over the Leeward Islands Saturday night, over the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Sunday, and then over the Dominican Republic on Monday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, and the depression is expected to become a tropical storm tonight or on Saturday.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1010 mb (29.83 inches).
Key Message
1) Tropical storm conditions are possible in portions of the Leeward Islands late Saturday or early Sunday, and over the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Sunday. The risk of strong winds will then spread westward to the Dominican Republic Sunday night and Monday.
2) Heavy rainfall could lead to flash and urban flooding over the Leeward and Virgin Islands. Across Puerto Rico, heavy rainfall may lead to flash, urban and small stream flooding, along with the potential for mudslides.
3) There is a risk of wind and rainfall impacts across Haiti, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the southeastern Bahamas, and Cuba next week. Interest in those areas should monitor the progress of this system
