WEATHER WATCH: Low Pressure System Expected to Strengthen After Friday

SINT MAARTEN – The Tropical Wave (TW) located 900 miles east of the Lesser Antilles continue to produce disorganized showers and a few thunderstorms according to the National Hurricane Center.  Environmental conditions are expected to become more favourable for development at the end of the week (Friday) or weekend which places TW near or over the Leeward Islands/Virgin Islands at that time.  Global models forecast this system developing into a storm and interests in the Bahamas and U.S. Eastern seaboard should pay attention.

The TW continues on a westward to west-northwestward track at about 15 miles per hour.   

ARCHIVE: Monday, August 25: The Low Pressure (LP) system in the central Atlantic Ocean is forecast to become a Tropical Depression over the upcoming weekend of August 30/31 and should also be in the vicinity of the Northern Leeward Islands/Virgin Islands around that time as well.  

Environmental conditions could become favourable for development allowing the system to develop into the depression after Thursday, August 28.  Some weather models do not forecast any development at all.  If it does not develop, the system could still bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds over the weekend. At 8.00am on Monday, August 25 the LP was located approximately 1100 miles to the west south-west of the Cape Verde Islands. 

ARCHIVE: Sunday, August 24: A new Tropical Wave (TW) system in the central Atlantic Ocean has its sights on the Leeward Islands based on a projected forecast track by the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

The TW is producing disorganized showers and a few thunderstorms.  Conditions do not appear to be favourable for development during the next few days, but could become more conducive by the end of the week.    

At 8.00pm on Sunday, August 24 the TW was located 800 miles west-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands.  The wave is moving westward to west-north westward at about 15 miles per hour.