“Tropical Storm Tammy” has intensified into a category one hurricane, and the system is expected to impact the Lesser Antilles this weekend. Impacts, including heavy rainfall and gusty winds, are possible across portions of the USVI and Puerto Rico.
According to a 5:00 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) on Friday, Hurricane Tammy is packing maximum sustained winds of about 75 mph and is moving to the west-northwest at approximately 7 mph. The storm is forecast to take a sharper turn to the northwest, passing to the northeast of the USVI and Puerto Rico around Sunday. However, it is critical to remain vigilant, as the forecast track can quickly change.
Numerous tropical weather alerts, including hurricane watches and warnings, have been issued for multiple islands across the Lesser Antilles. As of 5 p.m. on Friday, the NHC has not issued tropical storm or hurricane alerts for the USVI and Puerto Rico.
“Hurricane conditions are expected in portions of the Leeward Islands by late tonight through Saturday. Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin in portions of the Lesser Antilles within the warning area this evening or overnight,” according to the NHC update.
The USVI and Puerto Rico are forecast to receive between one and two inches of rain, with locally higher amounts up to four inches.
“Heavy rains from Tammy will begin to affect the Leeward and northern Windward Islands tonight and Saturday spreading into the British and U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico as early as Sunday. This rainfall may produce isolated flash and urban flooding, along with isolated mudslides in areas of higher terrain,” the NHC explained.
On Friday, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) set a “Port Condition YANKEE” for seaports across the USVI and Puerto Rico. Port Condition YANKEE indicates that seaports are closed to inbound commercial vessel traffic unless authorized by the Captain of the Port.
“Coast Guard Captain of the Port San Juan set Port Condition YANKEE for U.S. Virgins Islands seaports and seven Puerto Rico seaports due to Hurricane Tammy and the possibility of gale force winds (39 mph) arriving within 24 hours,” according to the USCG update.
“Seaports in Puerto Rico under Port Condition YANKEE include Arecibo, Ceiba, Culebra, Fajardo, San Juan, Vieques and Yabucoa. All remaining seaports in Puerto Rico will remain in Port Condition X-RAY [indicating that seaports will be operational] until further notice, including Guayanilla, Guanica, Guayama, Mayaguez, Ponce, Tallaboa, and Salinas/Aguirre,” the update continues.
Boaters and ship operators are advised to monitor Hurricane Tammy and follow weather updates from the National Hurricane Center as they become available.
Stay Informed about the Weather
Hurricane season ends on November 30, and with more than a month remaining in the season, it is important to remain vigilant and prepared for cyclones. Weather updates will be published daily on the Source Weather Page.
Additionally, USVI visitors and residents are encouraged to follow the National Hurricane Center for the latest weather alerts. Information about severe weather, including emergency shelters and alerts, is also available from the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service.
A list from the National Weather Service regarding hurricane preparedness is available here.
