NATIONAL OFFICE OF DISASTER SERVICES

Article taken from Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services for the Leeward Islands and British Virgin Island -  9:30 am on Tuesday,  August 23, 2016.

The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service is paying very close attention to an approaching tropical disturbance. As of 8:00 am this morning, it had a 50 chance of becoming a tropical cyclone (tropical depression, tropical storm or hurricane) in 48 hours and a 60 chance in five days. These probabilities have been steadily rising over the past 24 hours and have now become a cause for some concern.

Although it is still more likely than not that the system will impact us as no more than tropical disturbance or strong tropical wave, we cannot rule out the disturbance rapidly developing and impacting us a tropical cyclone. Hence, residents are urged to pay close attention to the progress of this weather system until it is out of our area. The developing disturbance is expected to cause very wet weather across Antigua and Barbuda, and the rest of the Leeward Islands on Tuesday night through Wednesday, and the across the British Virgin Islands on Wednesday through Thursday.

Rainfall totals of 25 to 75 mm or 1 to 3 inches are possible. A flash flood watch and/or warning will likely be required for portions of the next 24 to 36 hours. Heavy thunderstorms are also expected, which could interrupt electricity and related services. Lightning is very dangerous & 8211; it can kill and injure. Remember, when the thunder roars, go indoors!  Seas will become hazardous with peak heights on Wednesday of around 2.7 metres of 9 feet.

Small craft and sea-bather warnings will go into effect by this afternoon. The weather is expected to subside by Wednesday night across the Leeward Islands and by Thursday afternoon across the British Virgin Islands. At this time, no storm-force winds are anticipated.  Please continue to follow the products issued by the meteorological service. 

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Dale Destin (Forecaster)