Tuesday 19th September 2017 … 5:00 am

Advisory# 19

A Tropical STORM-WATCH remains in effect for ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES (SVG)

“MARIA” IS A CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area.

At 5 am, the centre of Category 4 Hurricane Maria was located near 16.0°N 62.3°W or about 145 miles (233 km) to the north-north west of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Maximum sustained winds are near 155mph (250km/h) with higher gusts but some fluctuations in intensity are likely during the next day or two. Maria is forecast to remain an extremely dangerous category 4 or 5 hurricane while it approaches the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico today. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the centre, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles (205 km). Minimum central pressure was 934 millibars or 27.58 inches. The system is moving west-northwest near 9 mph (15 km/h) and this motion is expected to continue through Tuesday into Wednesday.

Feeder bands from the southern side of Hurricane Maria continue to generate pockets of moderate to heavy showers, periods of rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds across the islands of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Sustained westerly wind speed of 20 – 35 mph (32 – 56km/h) with higher gusts can be expected. Rainfall accumulations of 3 – 5 inches (75 – 125 mm) are possible, with higher amounts in mountainous areas.

The Flood Warning has been extended until 12:00 pm noon today, Tuesday 19th September, 2017.

Persons near rivers, streams and areas prone to flooding and land slippage, should take precautions.

Seas across SVG are expected to be at least 4- 6 metres (13ft-20ft), with life-threatening surf and rip current.

The High Surf Advisory and Small Craft Warning remain in effect until 12:00 pm today, Tuesday 19th September, 2017.

Small craft operators are advised to remain in port and sea bathers and other users of the sea are strongly advised to stay out of the water.

The Saint Vincent Meteorological Services and the Barbados Meteorological Services will continue to monitor Hurricane MARIA; next update at 8:00 am

Prepared by Mr.B.Jeffers