Residents of the territory are being urged to monitor Tropical Storm Bret which in its current forecast trajectory is set to pass south of the British Virgin Islands at a safe distance.
This is according to a weather update by the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services that was published by the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) early Wednesday.
“On its present track, Bret is forecast to pass well south of and at a safe distance from the Leeward and British Virgin Islands over the next couple of days,” the DDM’s post stated.
The department also provided an update as to the most recent location of the tropical storm and details on its current strength.
“The centre of Tropical Storm Bret was located near latitude 12.8 north, longitude 51.4 west or about 656 miles east-southeast of the Leeward Islands and 833 miles east-southeast of the British Virgin Islands. Tropical Storm Bret is moving toward the west at 16 miles per hour. This general motion is expected to continue for the next several days,” the update stated.
It added, “Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph with higher gusts. Some additional increase in strength is possible before Bret reaches the Caribbean Sea. Tropical storm force winds extend up to 60 miles from the centre. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1001 MB or 29.56 inches.”
The update also said with the current forecast, no specific action is required of residents of the territory at this time, other than to keep monitoring the progress of the tropical storm.