Tropical Storm Dorian is expected to bring hurricane conditions and raging winds to the Windward Islands this week. The dangerous weather system is expected to hit portions of the Lesser Antilles on Monday and Tuesday, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued warnings for areas in the storm’s path. The island group has been put on alert for impacts ranging from strong winds and rough surf to localised flooding early.
A Hurricane Watch has been issued by the government of St Lucia while the government of France has upgraded the Tropical Storm Watch to a Tropical Storm Warning for Martinique.
This warning has also been issued for Barbados, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines.
A Tropical Storm Watch is also in effect, issued in Dominica, Martinique, Grenada and its dependencies, Saba, and St Eustatius.
Dorian strengthened into a tropical storm on Saturday afternoon, making it the fourth named tropical system of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season.
READ MORE: Tropical Storm Dorian spaghetti model: Where could Dorian hit?
The churning weather system is currently located approximately 135 miles (220km) east-southeast of Barbados and about 245 miles (395km) east-southeast of St Lucia.
Dorian’s maximum sustained winds are at 60mph (95km/h) but could still strengthen further before the storm makes landfall.
The storm is moving at 14mph (22km/h) in a west-northwestward direction.
Interests in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Hispaniola should monitor the progress of Dorian as watches for these areas later could be required later on Monday, the NOAA said.
READ MORE: Tropical storm Dorian path: Barreling storm to make landfall in DAYS
On the forecast track, the centre of Dorian is expected to be near the Windward Islands late on Monday, and move into the eastern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday.
The potentially dangerous system is expected to pass near or south of Puerto Rico on Wednesday and approach eastern Hispaniola Wednesday night.
Hazards affecting land include heavy rainfall, with total rain accumulations of three to eight inches expected to be produced in the Windward Islands from Martinique south to St. Vincent, including Barbados.
Isolated maximum totals of 10 inches are possible across the northern Windward Islands.
In addition, strong winds from the tropical system can cause dangerous waves that pose a significant hazard to mariners and coastal residents and visitors.
When the waves break along the coast, they can produce deadly rip currents – even at large distances from the storm.
Swells generated by Dorian will be affecting portions of the Lesser Antilles by late today.
These swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
People finding themselves in the affected areas are urged to consult products from your local weather office.