- The despair was shifting to the west at 13 mph and packing sustained winds of 35 mph.
- Essentially the most widespread affect of this method might be drenching downpours.
- The system is not any risk to South Florida “presently” however forecasts present it impacting Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic over the weekend
Tropical Melancholy Seven strengthened to Tropical Storm Fiona late Wednesday within the Atlantic Ocean because it made its manner towards Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, the Nationwide Hurricane Heart mentioned.
It’s the sixth named storm of what is been a slightly quiet and uneventful 2022 Atlantic hurricane season so far.
The tropical storm was shifting to the west-northwest at 16 mph and packing sustained winds of fifty mph.
As of late Wednesday night, the tropical storm was situated about 650 miles east of the Leeward Islands, the Hurricane Heart mentioned.
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Heading towards Puerto Rico, Leeward Islands
“On the forecast monitor, the middle of the storm is forecast to maneuver by way of the Leeward Islands late Friday and Friday night time, and be close to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend,” the Hurricane Heart mentioned.
Some sluggish strengthening is feasible over the subsequent few days, the Hurricane Heart mentioned.
Tropical storm watches had been in impact for a string of Caribbean islands, together with Antigua and Barbuda late Wednesday.
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Drenching downpours
Essentially the most widespread affect of this method might be drenching downpours, based on AccuWeather. Rainfall quantities of 3-5 inches may carry localized flooding from the islands of Guadeloupe and Antigua, by way of the British and U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic.
Though the system is forecast to strengthen over the approaching days, present predictions maintain it nicely beneath hurricane energy. Wind shear within the Gulf of Mexico and southwest Atlantic may restrict the strengthening of the system.
No risk to South Florida ‘presently’
The system is not any risk to South Florida “presently,” based on the Nationwide Climate Service in Miami.
Nonetheless, the company inspired residents to evaluation hurricane plans and provides for the reason that peak interval of hurricane season lasts till mid-October.
Contributing: The Related Press; Cheryl McCloud, the Palm Seashore Put up