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The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) is monitoring a large tropical wave developing in the Atlantic, located about miles 800 miles east of the Lesser Antilles.
According to the National Weather Service’s National Hurricane Center at Miami, the tropical wave continues to show signs of organization. Environmental conditions are expected to gradually become more conducive for development as the disturbance approaches the Lesser Antilles Saturday night and Sunday. This system has a medium chance, 40 percent, of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours as it moves generally westward at 20 mph.
In a conference call convened on Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service briefed Gov. John P. De Jongh Jr., VITEMA Director Elton Lewis, Adjutant General Renaldo Rivera, Public Works Commissioner Darryl Smalls and Acting Police Commissioner Rodney Querrard and other key staff on the projected path of the weather system and its potential impact on the Virgin Islands, based on current conditions.
According to the National Weather Service senior meteorologist Krizia Lebron, on its current track, the system will pass about 100 miles south of St. Croix. However, the outer bands of this large tropical wave will bring intermittent periods of showers, heavy rains and gusty winds to the island beginning Sunday afternoon and lasting through Monday. Due an area of dry air that is currently leading the system, the tropical wave may not develop into a tropical storm or hurricane until after it passes the Territory.
The National Weather Service will continue to brief and update the governor, VITEMA and other key emergency response agencies throughout the weekend.
VITEMA has begun to place its Emergency Operations Centers on alert for possible activation this weekend, as it continues to monitor the system for development. The public is also being urged to stay informed and to assess their preparedness.
“We are in the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season and it’s important that everyone continue to closely monitor developing weather disturbances and that we remain vigilant and ensure that we are ready,” Lewis said.
For more preparedness information visit
www.VITEMA.gov.
VITEMA will continue to keep the public informed of this developing system and is also urging everyone to stay tuned to local radio, TV, NOAA weather radio and VI Alert for updated information, watches and warnings.
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