..AIR FORCE HURRICANE HUNTERS FIND TAMMY MOVING WESTWARD… …TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS AND HEAVY RAIN ARE EXPECTED IN PORTIONS OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS BEGINNING FRIDAY… SUMMARY OF 200 PM AST…1800 UTC…INFORMATION ———————————————-
LOCATION…13.5N 56.4W ABOUT 210 MI…335 KM E OF BARBADOS ABOUT 385 MI…620 KM ESE OF GUADELOUPE MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…60 MPH…95 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT…W OR 280 DEGREES AT 14 MPH…22 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…1002 MB…29.59 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS ——————– CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
The government of Antigua has issued a Tropical Storm Warning and a Hurricane Watch for Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts, and Nevis. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Hurricane Watch is in effect for… * Guadeloupe * Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts, and Nevis A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for… * Guadeloupe * Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts, and Nevis A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for… * Barbados * Dominica * Martinique * Anguilla * St. Barthelemy * Saba and St. Eustatius * St. Maarten * St. Martin
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
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. Additional watches and warnings will likely be required later today. For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service. DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ———————-
At 200 PM AST (1800 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Tammy was located near latitude 13.5 North, longitude 56.4 West. Tammy is moving toward the west near 14 mph (22 km/h). A slower westward to west-northwestward motion is expected through tonight. A turn toward the northwest is forecast on Friday, and this motion should continue into the weekend. On the forecast track, the center of Tammy will move near or over the Leeward Islands Friday and Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph (95 km/h) with higher gusts.
Gradual strengthening is expected during the next few days, and Tammy is forecast to be at or near hurricane intensity when it moves near the Leeward Islands. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles (205 km) primarily to the east of the center. The estimated minimum central pressure based on dropsonde data is 1002 mb (29.59 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ———————-
Key messages for Tammy can be found in the Tropical Cyclone Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT5 and WMO header WTNT45 KNHC and on the web at hurricanes.gov/text/MIATCDAT5.shtml WIND:
Tropical storm conditions are expected within the tropical storm warning area beginning Friday. Hurricane conditions are possible in portions of the Leeward Islands Friday night and Saturday. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the tropical storm watch area beginning on Friday.
RAINFALL: Through Sunday, Tammy is expected to produce storm total rainfall of 3 to 6 inches, with maximum amounts of 10 inches, across portions of the northern Windward and Leeward Islands. Rainfall totals of 1 to 2 inches with maximum amounts of 4 inches are expected for the British and U.S. Virgin Islands into eastern Puerto Rico.
These rains may produce isolated flash and urban flooding, along with isolated mudslides in areas of higher terrain. STORM SURGE: Storm surge could raise water levels by as much as 1 to 3 feet above normal tide levels near where the center of Tammy moves across the Leeward Islands.
SURF: Swells generated by Tammy will begin affecting portions of the Lesser Antilles today, and will continue into the weekend. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.
