A rapidly moving tropical disturbance in the Atlantic Ocean is causing concern for several Caribbean islands, prompting meteorologists to issue a Tropical Storm Watch for multiple locations.
The National Hurricane Center expects the disturbance to develop into a tropical depression tonight, potentially strengthening into a tropical storm as it approaches the Leeward Islands. Current maximum sustained winds are near 30 mph (45 km/h) with higher gusts, but forecasters predict strengthening over the next couple of days.
A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for a wide area, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and several other Caribbean islands such as Guadeloupe, St. Kitts and Nevis, Montserrat, Antigua, Barbuda, and Anguilla. This watch indicates that tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 48 hours.
The system is expected to bring significant rainfall, with 4 to 6 inches predicted for portions of the Leeward Islands. Puerto Rico could see 3 to 6 inches, with maximum amounts reaching up to 10 inches in some areas. Other parts of the Caribbean, including the Windward Islands and eastern Hispaniola, are also expected to receive considerable rainfall.
In addition to heavy rains, the disturbance may cause storm surges of 1 to 3 feet above ground level in eastern Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Similar surges are anticipated in the British Virgin Islands, accompanied by large and potentially destructive waves.