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The National Hurricane Center reported that Katia had reformed as a category one hurricane after being downgraded to a tropical storm on Thursday.
At 11 a.m. the center of Hurricane Katia was located near 17.5 degrees North and 52.4 degrees West, and moving west-northwest near 14 miles per hour. Maximum sustained winds are near 75 miles per hour with higher gusts and is forecasted strengthen during the next 48 hours. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 155 miles.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Katia is generating swells that can cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. These swells will begin to affect the Lesser Antilles by late today.
Based on reports from the National Weather Service at San Juan, Hurricane Katia is still on track to pass approximately 400 miles northeast of the Virgin Islands between late Sunday night and Monday morning. While Katia remains at a safe distance, the Virgin Islands will experience deteriorating surf conditions as a result of this system. The National Weather Service is expected to begin issuing small craft advisories on Saturday.
“We are advising mariners and those who plan to be at the beach this Labor Day weekend, to continue to monitor this system,” VITEMA Director Elton Lewis said. “Hurricane Katia will not impact us directly but the Virgin Islands is forecasted to experience rough sea conditions beginning on Saturday and continuing through Monday. I want to also encourage those who have not registered for VI Alert to do so. VI Alert is the quickest way to receive real-time advisories from the National Weather Service.”
VITEMA will continue to update the public as more information becomes available. Stay tuned to local radio and TV for advisories and monitor VI Alert.
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