Tropical Storm Fiona, which formed in the Atlantic late Wednesday, September 14, 2022, will arrive to the [British] Virgin Islands and US Virgin Islands over the weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). Photo: NHC

Tropical Disturbance AL96 has now become Tropical Depression Seven and is heading towards the Leeward Islands. Photo: DDM

On the forecast track, the center of the system is expected to move through the Leeward Islands late Friday and Friday night, September 16, 2022, and be near the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend. Photo: NHC

The NHC is expected to start issuing tropical storm warnings later today, September 15, 2022.

As of the 5 AM advisory Thursday, the center of Fiona was located about 580 miles east of the Leeward Islands. It has 50 mph sustained winds and is moving to the east at 13mph.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km) east of the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1002 mb (29.59 inches).

Fiona is expected to move through the Leeward Islands late Friday and near the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Hispaniola this weekend. It is forecasted to bring heavy rain and the potential for flooding and mudslides to the region.

From there, Fiona is expected to make a turn to the north, either over or east of the Bahamas.

See previous article published September 14, 2022

Centre of Tropical Depression 7 forecast to pass near VI this weekend

Tropical Disturbance AL96 has now become Tropical Depression Seven and is heading towards the Leeward Islands.

The National Hurricane Centre (NHC) in its 5:00 pm update said the centre of Tropical Depression Seven was located near latitude 16.8 North, longitude 50.5 West.

It said the depression is moving toward the west near 13 mph (20 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue during the next few days.

Depression may reach Leeward Islands on Friday

On the forecast track, the center of the system is expected to move through the Leeward Islands late Friday and Friday night, September 16, 2022, and be near the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend, the NHC stated.

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Some gradual strengthening is forecast during the next day or so, and the depression is forecast to become a tropical storm tonight or Thursday.

Rainfall

The depression is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 3 to 5 inches with maximum totals of 8 inches across the northern Leeward Islands, the British and US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

These rains may produce isolated flash and urban flooding, along with isolated mudslides in areas of higher terrain, the NHC advised.