The government of Barbados has issued a Hurricane Watch for Dominica as Hurricane Beryl continues to draw closer to the Northeastern Caribbean. The government of France has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Martinique, Guadeloupe, St. Martin, and St. Barthelemy, according to the National Hurricane Centre.
The Governor’s Office on Montserrat says “we are watching Hurricane Beryl closely. Our Emergency Coordination Committee will be meeting tomorrow at 1300 to review the position. We will advise further after that. Please meanwhile consider your emergency preparations and keep watching the weather updates together.”
In photo – 5PM Estimated arrival times for Hurricane Beryl.
At 500 PM AST (2100 UTC), the center of Hurricane Beryl was located near latitude 10.6 North, longitude 47.8 West. Beryl is moving toward the west near 15 mph (24 km/h). A faster westward to west-northwestward motion is expected to begin over the weekend and continue through early next week. On the forecast track, the center of Beryl will approach the Lesser Antilles over the weekend and cross the island chain late Sunday or Monday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 80 mph (130 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, and Beryl could still be a hurricane when it reaches the Lesser Antilles late Sunday or Monday. Weakening is expected once Beryl reaches the eastern Caribbean Sea on Monday, but the system may not degenerate into an open trough until it reaches the vicinity of Hispaniola and the central Caribbean Sea.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 10 miles (20 km) from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km).
The estimated minimum central pressure is 994 mb (29.36 inches).
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…
* Dominica
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…
* Martinique
* Guadeloupe
* St. Martin
* St. Barthelemy
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area.
A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area.
Interests elsewhere in the Lesser Antilles should monitor the progress of Beryl, as additional watches could be required for other islands tonight or early Saturday.
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
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WIND: Tropical storm or hurricane conditions are possible within the watch areas by late Sunday or Monday.
NEXT ADVISORY
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Next intermediate advisory at 800 PM AST.
Next complete advisory at 1100 PM AST.
