Tropical storm Dorian is the fourth tropical system of the 2019 hurricane season. Authorities were keeping track of the Tropical Depression since last week, before it strengthened into a tropical storm by yesterday afternoon. Alerts have now been issued in some areas of the Caribbean as the impacts of the Tropical Storm are forecast to unleash strong winds and rough surf to the region, as well as a risk of flooding. But where is tropical storm Dorian now?
The Government of Barbados has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Barbados – as well as a tropical storm watch alert for St Vincent and the Grenadines.
A Tropical Storm Warning means tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
Whereas a Tropical Storm Watch means tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
It is possible authorities in the Caribbean may issue more warnings and alerts ater today for portions of the Windward and Leeward Islands, depending on the path of the tropical storm over the coming hours.
Dorian is expected to create up to four inches of rain in areas of the Lesser Antilles, with possible areas receiving up to six inches.
Meanwhile, strong winds are likely by late Monday and early Tuesday, with surf conditions potentially causing life-threatening surg and rip conditions.
Where is Tropical Storm Dorian now?
As of 11am AST (4pm BST) today, the centre of Dorian was located at latitude 11.2 north, longitude 52.9 west.
The storm was moving towards the west at almost 14mph and is expected to continue to track in that direction through the rest of the day and night.
Forecasters predict Dorian will turn towards the west northwest on Monday, with this motion continuing through Tuesday night.
Currently, the forecasted path for Dorian is expected to travel close to the Windward Islands late Monday or early Tuesday and move into the eastern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday.
The current status of Dorian as 11am AST (4pm BST) revealed the storm’s maximum sustained winds to be around 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts.
It was predicted these speeds would increase and strength over the next 48 hours to reach 75 mph (65 kts) by Wednesday.
Tropical storm Doria will possibly become strong enough to be classed as a hurricane by Tuesday as it traverses over the eastern Caribbean Sea.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center, with the estimated minimum central pressure is 1008 mb (29.77 inches).
As it travels towards the Caribbean, its strength is determined by the levels of wind shear it encounters.
While wind shear is currently light over the eastern Caribbean, it is forecast to increase by the time the storm reaches the waters.
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said: “The center of Dorian is expected to pass close to Barbados Monday night or early Tuesday morning before the system crosses the Lesser Antilles and then moves into the eastern Caribbean.”