Tag Archives: Dominican Republic

Tropical Storm Harold Approaches South Texas

Tropical Storm Harold was approaching the coast of South Texas on Tuesday morning. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Harold was located at latitude 26.2°N and longitude 96.4°W which put it about 70 miles (110 km) east-southeast of Port Mansfield, Texas. Harold was moving toward the west-northwest at 18 m.p.h. (29 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Port O’Connor, Texas to the Mouth of the Rio Grande, River. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Port O’Connor to Sargent, Texas.

Former Tropical Depression Nine strengthened during Monday night and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Harold. There was a large circulation around Tropical Storm Harold, but the surface center of circulation was elongated. The distribution of thunderstorms in Harold was asymmetrical. There were more thunderstorms in the bands in the northern side of the low pressure system than there were in the bands in the southern half of the circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Harold’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Harold will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next few hours. Harold will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 31°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the central U.S. There is also an upper level low over northern Mexico. The upper level ridge and the upper level low will interact to produce southeasterly winds that will blow toward the top of Harold’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Harold could intensify a little during the next few hours in spite of the vertical wind shear.

The upper level ridge over the central U.S. will steer Tropical Storm Harold toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Harold will reach the coast of South Texas in a few hours. Tropical Storm Harold will reach South Texas in a few hours. Harold will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to South Texas. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. The low pressure system could also cause a storm surge of up to five feet (1.5 meters) along the coast.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Franklin was over the Caribbean Sea and Tropical Depression Gert was east of the Leeward Islands.

At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Franklin was located at latitude 14.6°N and longitude 70.7°W which put it about 260 miles (420 km) south of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Franklin was moving toward the west at 3 m.p.h. (5 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the south coast of Haiti from Anse d’Hainault to the border with the Dominican Republic. A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for the south coast of the Dominican Republic from Isla Saona to the border with Haiti. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the north coast of the Dominican Republic from Isla Saona to the border with Haiti. A Tropical Storm Watch was also in effect for the Turks and Caicos.

At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Gert was located at latitude 17.2°N and longitude 58.8°W which put it about 290 miles (470 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. Gert was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1008 mb.

Gulf System Prompts Tropical Storm Warning for South Texas

The potential risk posed by a low pressure system over the Gulf of Mexico prompted the issuance of a Tropical Storm Warning for South Texas. The U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the low pressure system as Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine on Monday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine was located at latitude 25.0°N and longitude 89.9°W which put it about 480 miles (770 km) east-southeast of Port Mansfield, Texas. The low pressure system was moving toward the west at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1008 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Port O’Connor, Texas to the Mouth of the Rio Grande, River. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Port O’Connor to Sargent, Texas.

There was a large circulation around Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, but there was not a well defined surface center of circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving counterclockwise in the large low pressure system. There were more thunderstorms in the bands in the northern side of the low pressure system than there were in the bands in the southern half of the circulation.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine will move through an environment mostly favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The low pressure system will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 31°C. It will move under the southern part of an upper level ridge over the central U.S. The ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of the low pressure system. The winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow form the east. So, there will not be a lot of vertical wind shear over much of the lower pressure system. An upper level low over northern Mexico will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the southwestern part of the low pressure system. There will be more vertical wind shear in that region. Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine is likely to intensify to a tropical storm during the next 24 hours.

The upper level ridge will steer Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the low pressure system will reach the coast of South Texas on Tuesday morning. Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine will likely be a tropical storm when it reaches South Texas. It will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to South Texas. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. The low pressure system could also cause a storm surge of up to five feet (1.5 meters) along the coast.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Franklin was over the Caribbean Sea, Tropical Storm Gert was east of the Leeward Islands and former Tropical Storm Emily weakened to a tropical depression over the central Atlantic Ocean.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Franklin was located at latitude 15.0°N and longitude 70.1°W which put it about 240 miles (390 km) south of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Franklin was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the south coast of Haiti from Anse d’Hainault to the border with the Dominican Republic. A Tropical Storm Warning was also in effect for the south coast of the Dominican Republic from Isla Saona to the border with Haiti. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the north coast of the Dominican Republic from Isla Saona to the border with Haiti.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Gert was located at latitude 16.9°N and longitude 57.0°W which put it about 410 miles (665 km) east-southeast of the Northern Leeward Islands. Gert was moving toward the west at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Emily was located at latitude 21.1°N and longitude 41.6°W which put it about 1225 miles (1965 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Emily was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.

Tropical Storm Franklin Forms over the Eastern Caribbean Sea

Tropical Storm Franklin formed over the eastern Caribbean Sea on Sunday. At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Franklin was located at latitude 14.8°N and longitude 67.8°W which put it about 240 miles (385 km) south-southeast of Isla Saona, Dominican Republic. Franklin was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1001 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the south coast of Haiti from Anse d’Hainault to the border with the Dominican Republic. A Tropical Storm Watch was also in effect for the south coast of the Dominican Republic from Isla Saona to the border with Haiti.

A low pressure system in a tropical wave over the eastern Caribbean Sea strengthened on Sunday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Franklin. A NOAA research aircraft and and visible satellite images indicated that there was a well defined low level center of circulation in Tropical Storm Franklin. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Franklin’s circulation. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the northern half of Franklin’s circulation. The winds in the southern half of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Franklin will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Franklin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the eastern Caribbean Sea. The ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Franklin’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will probably not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Franklin is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Franklin will move south of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Franklin toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. An upper level low near Cuba will steer Franklin toward the north on Tuesday. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Franklin will approach Hispaniola on Tuesday morning. Franklin is likely to bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Emily churned west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands and Tropical Depression Six moved toward the Northern Leeward Islands. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Emily was located at latitude 20.2°N and longitude 39.4°W which put it about 1050 miles (1690 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Emily was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1001 mb.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Six was located at latitude 16.6°N and longitude 54.7°W which put it about 565 miles (910 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. The tropical depression was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1008 mb.

Hurricane Fiona Strengthens Southeast of the Turks and Caicos

Hurricane Fiona strengthened over the Atlantic Ocean southeast of the Turks and Caicos. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Fiona was located at latitude 20.6°N and longitude 70.3°W which put it about 80 miles (130 km) southeast of Grand Turk. Fiona was moving toward the north-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 110 m.p.h. (175 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 130 m.p.h. (210 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 971 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the Turks and Caicos. A Hurricane Watch was also in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Caucedo to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the Southeastern Bahamas including the Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, the Inaguas, Mayaguana and the Ragged Islands.

Hurricane Fiona resumed intensifying after the core moved north of the Dominican Republic on Monday.. A circular eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) quickly reformed after the center of Fiona moved over the warm water north of the Dominican Republic. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Fiona. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Fiona. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Fiona will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Fiona will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Fiona will intensify to a major hurricane on Tuesday. Fiona could strengthen to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale during the next 36 hours. If the inner end of a rainband wraps around the existing eye and eyewall, then an eyewall replacement cycle could cause Hurricane Fiona to weaken later this week.

Hurricane Fiona will move around the western side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Fiona toward the north-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the core of Hurricane Fiona will pass east of the Turks and Caicos on Tuesday. An upper level trough near the East Coast of the U.S. will steer Fiona toward the northeast on Wednesday. Hurricane Fiona will affect Bermuda on Thursday night. Fiona could be a major hurricane when it gets to Bermuda.

Hurricane Fiona Hits Eastern Dominican Republic

Hurricane Fiona hit the eastern Dominican Republic on Monday morning. At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Fiona was located at latitude 18.8°N and longitude 69.0°W which put it about 45 miles (75 km) southeast of Samana, Dominican Republic. Fiona was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 977 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Caucedo to Cabo Frances Viejo, Domincan Republic. A Hurricane Warning was also in effect for the Turks and Caicos. A Hurricane Watch was also in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Frances Viejo to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Puerto Rico, Culebra and Vieques. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Frances Viejo to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Tropical Storm Warnings were also in effect for the Southeastern Bahamas including the Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, the Inaguas, Mayaguana and the Ragged Islands. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Caucedo to Barahona, Dominican Republic.

The eye of Hurricane Fiona made landfall on the east coast of the Dominican Republic south-southwest of Punta Cana on Monday morning. Fiona continued to intensify until the eye made landfall. The eye had a diameter of 18 miles (30 km). A ring of strong thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Fiona. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Fiona. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 150 miles (240 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Fiona is likely to weaken during the next few hours while the eye is over the eastern Dominican Republic. Fiona will move through an environment mostly favorable for intensification after it moves north of the Dominican Republic. Fiona will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Fiona could rapidly intensify to a major hurricane after it moves north of the Dominican Republic.

Hurricane Fiona will move around the western side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Fiona toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. Hurricane Fiona will move toward the north when it reaches the western end of the high pressure system. On its anticipated track Hurricane Fiona will move across the eastern Dominican Republic during the next few hours. Fiona will bring strong gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the eastern Dominican Republic. Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations. Bands in the eastern side of Fiona’s circulation will continue to drop locally heavy rain on Puerto Rico on Monday. Flood Warnings are in effect for parts of Puerto Rico. Hurricane Fiona will be east of the Turks and Caicos on Tuesday. Fiona could be near Bermuda on Thursday night.

Hurricane Fiona Drops Heavy Rain on Puerto Rico

Hurricane Fiona dropped heavy rain on Puerto Rico on Sunday and there were numerous reports of floods. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Fiona was located at latitude 18.0°N and longitude 68.1°W which put it about 45 miles (75 km) south-southeast of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Fiona was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 85 m.p.h. (135 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 100 m.p.h. (160 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 982 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for Puerto Rico, Culebra and Vieques. A Hurricane Warning was also in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Caucedo to Cabo Frances Viejo, Domincan Republic. A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the Turks and Caicos. A Hurricane Watch was also in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Frances Viejo to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Frances Viejo to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Tropical Storm Warnings were also in effect for the Southeastern Bahamas including the Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, the Inaguas, Mayaguana and the Ragged Islands. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Caucedo to Barahona, Dominican Republic.

The eye of Hurricane Fiona was over the Mona Passage between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic on Sunday night. The eye passed over the southwestern tip of Puerto Rico on Sunday afternoon. Heavy rain fell over much of Puerto Rico and there were many reports of flash floods. There were also reports of wind damage in parts of Puerto Rico and electricity was unavailable in most places.

Hurricane Fiona was strengthening gradually on Sunday night. An eye with a diameter of 12 miles (19 km) was at the center of Fiona. The eye was surrounded by a ring of strong thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Fiona. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Fiona. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Fiona will move through an environment mostly favorable for intensification during the next 48 hours. Fiona will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. The center of Hurricane Fiona could pass over eastern Dominican Republic on Monday. Since some of the circulation around Hurricane Fiona will pass over land, that could cause Fiona to weaken when the center is near land. Fiona will be in an environment very favorable for intensification when it moves north of the Dominican Republic. It could rapidly intensify to a major hurricane early next week.

Hurricane Fiona will move around the western side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Fiona toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Hurricane Fiona could make landfall in the eastern Dominican Republic near Punta Cana on Monday morning. Bands in the eastern side of Fiona’s circulation will continue to drop locally heavy rain on Puerto Rico on Monday. Hurricane Fiona will also bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to the eastern part of the Dominican Republic early on Monday.

Fiona Intensifies to a Hurricane South of Puerto Rico

Former Tropical Storm Fiona intensified to a hurricane south of Puerto Rico on Sunday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Fiona was located at latitude 17.3°N and longitude 66.5°W which put it about 50 miles (80 km) south of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Fiona was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 987 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for Puerto Rico, Culebra and Vieques. A Hurricane Warning was also in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Caucedo to Cabo Frances Viejo, Domincan Republic. A Hurricane Watch was also in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Frances Viejo to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, and the portion of the coast from Cabo Frances Viejo to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Caucedo to Barahona, Dominican Republic. Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for the Turks and Caicos, and for the Southeastern Bahamas including the Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, the Inaguas, Mayaguana and the Ragged Islands.

Former Tropical Storm Fiona strengthened to a hurricane over the Caribbean Sea south of Puerto Rico. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the northern side of the center of Hurricane Fiona. A partial eyewall surrounded the northern half of the center of Fiona’s circulation. The partial eyewall was over Ponce, Puerto Rico. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Hurricane Fiona. Storms near the core generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane. Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Fiona’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of circulation.

Hurricane Fiona will move through an environment mostly favorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Fiona will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. The center of Hurricane Fiona could pass over southwestern Puerto Rico during the next few hours. Fiona will move near the eastern part of the Dominican Republic on Monday. Since some of the circulation around Hurricane Fiona will pass over land during the next 36 hours, that could cause Fiona to weaken when the center is over or near land.

Hurricane Fiona will move around the western side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Fiona toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Hurricane Fiona will be near the southwestern part of Puerto Rico by Sunday evening. Bands in the eastern and northern sides of Fiona’s circulation will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain to Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands on Sunday. Hurricane Fiona could begin to affect the eastern part of the Dominican Republic during Sunday night.

Tropical Storm Fiona Moves Closer to Puerto Rico

Tropical Storm Fiona moved closer to Puerto Rico on Saturday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Storm Fiona was located at latitude 16.6°N and longitude 64.9°W which put it about 75 miles (120 km) south of St. Croix. Fiona was moving toward the west-northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 997 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for Puerto Rico, Culebra and Vieques. A Hurricane Warning was also in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Caucedo to Cabo Frances Viejo, Domincan Republic. A Hurricane Watch was in effect for the U.S. Virgin Islands. A Hurricane Watch was also in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Frances Viejo to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, and the portion of the coast from Cabo Frances Viejo to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Cabo Caucedo to Barahona, Dominican Republic.

Tropical Storm Fiona was gradually getting better organized on Saturday night. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the northern side of the center of circulation. Radar on Puerto Rico showed that an eye could be forming at the center of Fiona’s circulation. Storms near the center generated more upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm. The removal of mass was allowing the surface pressure to slowly decrease. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Fiona.

Tropical Storm Fiona will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Fiona will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. An upper level ridge over the tropical Atlantic Ocean will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Tropical Storm Fiona. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Fiona could continue to strengthen gradually, but the wind shear will likely limit intensification during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Fiona will move around the southwestern side of the subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Fiona toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Storm Fiona will be near the southwestern part of Puerto Rico by Sunday evening. Bands in the eastern and northern sides of Fiona’s circulation will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands on Sunday. Fiona could begin to affect the eastern part of the Dominican Republic during Sunday night.

Tropical Storm Fiona Brings Wind and Rain to the Leeward Islands

Tropical Storm Fiona brought wind and rain to the Leeward Islands on Friday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Fiona was located at latitude 16.6°N and longitude 62.2°W which put it about 55 miles (90 km) west-northwest of Guadeloupe. Fiona was moving toward the west at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb.

Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla, Guadeloupe, St. Martin and St. Barthelemy, Puerto Rico, Culebra, Vieques, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands and the portion of the coast from Cabo Caucedo to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for Dominica and for the portion of the coast from Cabo Caucedo to Barahona, Dominican Republic.

More thunderstorms developed near the center of Tropical Storm Fiona on Friday night which caused Fiona to strengthen. Although there were more thunderstorms near the center of circulation, most of the thunderstorms were still occurring in bands on the eastern side of Tropical Storm Fiona. Bands in the western half of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The new thunderstorms near the center of Fiona generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north and east of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Fiona.

Tropical Storm Fiona will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Fiona will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. An upper level ridge over the tropical Atlantic Ocean will produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of Tropical Storm Fiona. Those winds will cause vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Storm Fiona could continue to strengthen gradually, but the wind shear will limit intensification during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Fiona will move around the southern side of the subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Fiona toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. Tropical Storm Fiona will continue to cause gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the northern Leeward Islands during the next 12 hours. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Fiona could be southeast of Puerto Rico by Saturday evening. Fiona could be near the eastern end of the Dominican Republic by Sunday evening. There is a chance that Fiona could be a hurricane by that time.

Tropical Storm Fred Makes Landfall in Northwest Florida

Tropical Storm Fred made landfall on the coast of Northwest Florida near Cape San Blas on Monday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Fred was located at latitude 29.9°N and longitude 85.3°W which put it about 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Apalachicola Florida. Fred was moving toward the north-northeast at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 995 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from the Okaloosa/Walton County Line to the Stienhatchee River, Florida.

The National Hurricane Center stated that Tropical Storm Fred made landfall on the coast of Northwest Florida near Cape San Blas, which is about 25 miles (40 km) west of Apalachicola. The maximum sustained wind speed at the time of landfall was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and the minimum surface pressure was 994 mb. Fred was dropping heavy rain over parts of northwest Florida and southeast Alabama. There were reports of flash floods in some locations. Tropical Storm Fred was also causing a storm surge along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico where the wind was pushing the water toward the shore. A Storm Surge Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Indian Pass to Yankeetown, Florida.

Tropical Storm Fred will move around the western end of a subtropical high pressure over the Atlantic Ocean. The high will steer Fred toward the north-northeast during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Fred will be over northern Georgia on Tuesday afternoon. Fred could be over West Virginia by Wednesday. Tropical Storm Fred will weaken steadily as it moves farther inland. However, Fred will move through a very moist environment and it will drop heavy rain over parts of the southeastern U.S. Rain will spread over western Georgia on Monday evening. Flash Flood Watches have been issued for parts of northwest Florida, southeast Alabama, western and northern Georgia, southeastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. Tropical Storm Fred could also cause sporadic power outages as it moves inland.

Elsewhere, Tropical Depression Grace was dropping heavy rain on parts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, and former Tropical Depression Eight strengthened to Tropical Storm Henri southeast of Bermuda.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Depression Grace was located at latitude 17.9°N and longitude 72.4°W which put it about 50 miles (80 km) southeast of Port Au Prince, Haiti. Grace was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (20 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1007 mb. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for the Cayman Islands and the Cuban provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Las Tunas and Camaguey. Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for the entire coast of Haiti and for Jamaica. Tropical Storm Watches were also in effect for the Cuban provinces of Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus, Cinefuegos, Matanzas and Isla de la Juventud.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Henri was located at latitude 31.0°N and longitude 62.9°W which put it about 145 miles (2305 km) southeast of Bermuda. Henri was moving toward the south-southwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1010 mb. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for Bermuda.