Tropical storm alert for southeast islands

As the National Hurricane Center in the United States advised that Tropical Cyclone Six is likely to strengthen, The Bahamas Meteorology Department yesterday issued a tropical storm alert for the southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The disturbance approaching the Lesser Antilles was forecast to become a tropical storm last night.

The Meteorology Department said it could begin to affect the southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands by Thursday morning.

A tropical storm alert was issued for Inagua, Mayaguana, Acklins and Crooked Island, Samana Cay, Long Cay and Ragged Island, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

A tropical storm alert means that tropical storm conditions could be experienced in the mentioned islands within 60 hours.

At 5 p.m. yesterday, the disturbance was about 165 miles east-southeast of Dominica and 1,055 miles east-southeast of Matthew Town, Inagua.

The system’s maximum sustained winds were near 35 mph with higher gusts.

Gradual strengthening was forecast into tomorrow. 

“Residents in the southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands should begin to make preparation for the possibility of tropical storm conditions beginning early Thursday morning,” the Meteorology Department said.

Meteorologist Greg Thompson said he does not believe the disturbance will eventually become a hurricane. 

“The system is trying to get its act together,” Thompson said.

“It is moving into an environment that is conducive to further strengthening, but, as I mentioned, it is expected to cross a lot of those islands, and a lot of those islands down there have peaks, so we are anticipating that it will be interacting with those peaks, which will keep it from rapidly intensifying and hopefully keep it at bay.”

Thompson noted, however, that even if the disturbance does not become a hurricane, it will likely produce significant rainfall.

“There is the possibility for some flooding in some low-lying and flood-prone areas,” he said.

“So, if you live in one of those areas, just be mindful of that and remain vigilant.”

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source https://thenassauguardian.com/tropical-storm-alert-for-southeast-islands/