Tropical Storm Elsa, the 5th named storm of the year, has formed in the Atlantic Ocean with maximum sustained winds increasing to near 40 mph as of 5:00 am today, July 1, 2021. Photo: VIC

The Virgin Islands (VI) Department of Disaster Management has released new information regarding a tropical disturbance moving towards the Windward Islands. Photo: DDM

According to the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), Elsa was located near latitude 9.4 North, longitude 48.8 West and is moving toward the west near 25 mph (41 km/h).

An even faster motion to the west-northwest is expected over the next 24 to 36 hours, DDM stated.

TS Elsa to reach Windward Islands on Friday

“On the forecast track, the system will pass near or over portions of the Windward Islands or the southern Leeward Islands on Friday, move into the eastern Caribbean Sea late Friday and Friday night, and move near the southern coast of Hispaniola on Saturday.”

It added that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts.

“Some additional strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days.”

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 km) from the centre.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1006 mb (29.71 inches).

Tropical Storm Warning

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Barbados, Martinique, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Guadeloupe.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within 36 hours.

DDM said interests elsewhere in the Windward Islands, Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti should monitor the progress of this system. 

“Additional watches and warnings will likely be required later today.”

See previous article published June 30, 2021

DDM tracking disturbance moving towards Winward Islands

The Virgin Islands (VI) Department of Disaster Management has released new information regarding a tropical storm moving towards the Windward Islands. 

In an update today, June 30, 2021, the DDM said the disturbance was centered near latitude 9.6 North, longitude 43.7 West.

However, the system is moving toward the west-northwest near 21 mph (33 km/h) and this motion is expected to continue with an increase in forwarding speed during the next couple of days.

“On the forecast track, the system will pass near or over portions of the Windward Islands or the southern Leeward Islands on Friday, move into the eastern Caribbean Sea late Friday and Friday night, and move near the southern coast of Hispaniola on Saturday,” the DDM said. 

The maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts, the department reported.

Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and the disturbance is expected to become a tropical storm tonight or on Thursday, July 1, 2021.