BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Federation has been placed under a Hurricane Watch as Tropical Depression Fifteen has developed into Tropical Storm Maria.
In a 5:00 p.m. statement today (Sept. 16), the Florida-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) had informed that the Government of Antigua and Barbuda had issued a Hurricane Watch for those islands, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Montserrat.
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for St. Lucia, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Barbados and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous, according to the NHC.
That statement comes as Topical Storm Maria is expected to be approaching the Leeward Island by Monday.
As at 5:00 p.m., the National Hurricane Center placed the center of Tropical Storm Maria near latitude 12.3 North, longitude 52.6 West.
TS Maria is said to be moving toward the west near 20 mph, as a slower west-northwest motion is expected during the next couple of days.
“On the forecast track, Maria is expected to approach the Leeward Islands on Monday,” the NHC statement said.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts.
According to the NHC, additional strengthening is expected during the next 48 hours and Maria is forecast to be a hurricane when it approaches the Leeward Islands early next week.
Meanwhile, TS Lee is located near latitude 12.6 North, longitude 34.2 West. It is reported as moving toward the west near 10 mph (17 km/h) and that motion is expected to continue through Sunday.
