Tropical storm watches are in effect for Barbados, Dominica, Martinique and Guadeloupe. Image courtesy of NOAA
The center of Tropical Storm Tammy should approach the Leeward Islands soon, hurricane forecasters said Thursday evening.
Beginning Friday, tropical storm conditions and “heavy rain” are expected across some islands, National Hurricane Center forecasters said. Advertisement
In their 5 p.m. advisory, forecasters said the storm was about 200 miles east of Barbados, moving west-northwest at 13 mph. The system has sustained winds of 60 mph.
Since the last NHC advisory earlier in the day, a tropical storm warning went into effect for Dominica.
According to NHC forecasters, tropical storm watches remain in effect for Barbados, Martinique and Guadeloupe.
A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions typically are possible within 48 hours. Notably, a warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected in about 36 hours.
Forecasters predicted a turn toward the northwest for the storm on Friday, saying it would continue through Saturday.
“A northward motion is forecast to begin Saturday night or Sunday. On the forecast track, the center of Tammy will move near or over the Leeward Islands Friday and Saturday, and then move north of the Leeward Islands Saturday night and Sunday,” forecasters said. Advertisement
When an Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft investigated the weather system, forecasters said, its data indicated maximum sustained winds near 60 mph with higher gusts.
Little change in strength is expected tonight, but gradual strengthening is expected to begin on Friday and continue into this weekend, the center said.
