THE BARBADOS METEOROLOGICAL Services continues to monitor the progress of Potential Tropical Cyclone #2.
Some modest strengthening was evident during the night as Potential Tropical Cyclone #2 continued to approach the southeastern Caribbean. At 5 a.m. the system was centred near 8.4°N, 54.5°W or about 460 miles (740 km) to the south-east of Barbados.
Movement is towards the west at 23 mph (37km/h) with maximum sustained winds of 40mph (65km/h).
This brisk motion which has been retarding the development of the system is forecast to continue over the next 24 – 36 hours. On its present track the centre is expected to pass about 200 miles to the south of Barbados later tonight into early Tuesday morning.
Due to the slow strengthening of the system and its more westerly track, reduced sustained wind speeds of between 25 to 35 mph (40 to 55km/h) with occasional higher gusts to tropical storm force are now expected to impact Barbados as the system passes to the south.
In addition, large easterly swells (storm surge) of at least 3.0 to 4.0m (10 to 13 ft) are also forecast to accompany the system. Thus, a High-Surf Advisory and Small-Craft Warning will be in effect from 6 a.m. today, Monday, June 19.
Analysis suggests that most of the convection accompanying the system will remain to the south of Barbados. However, increasing cloudiness with pockets of moderate to heavy showers, periods of rain and isolated thunderstorms are still expected to spread across the island later tonight into Tuesday morning.
Rainfall accumulations of one to two inches (25 to 50 millimetres) are possible.
Some flash-flooding is likely in low-lying areas. Residents are urged to be on the alert and take all necessary precautions. (PR)
