Tropical Storm Tammy Forms; May Impact USVI, Puerto Rico This Weekend

By Jesse Daley
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Tropical Storm Tammy is currently moving to the west and may impact the USVI and P.R. this weekend. (Photo courtesy of the NHC)

“Tropical Storm Tammy” formed on Wednesday, and the cyclone is forecast to impact portions of the Lesser Antilles island chain later this week. Although the storm track is uncertain, the USVI and Puerto Rico may experience effects from the system this weekend, including heavy rainfall and rough seas.

As of an 8 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) on Wednesday, Tammy is located about 575 miles to the east of the Lesser Antilles. The storm is packing winds of approximately 40 mph and is moving quickly toward the west at about 23 mph.

“Tropical storm conditions are possible across portions of the Lesser Antilles beginning on Friday. Tropical storm watches are currently in effect for Barbados, Dominica, Martinique, and Guadeloupe, and additional watches or warnings will likely be required tonight or on Thursday,” according to the NHC.

The system is projected to pass to the northeast of the USVI and Puerto Rico this weekend, bringing one to two inches of rain to both territories, with locally higher amounts up to four inches. Rough seas due to swells generated by Tammy may also affect the islands.

“Heavy rains from Tammy will begin to affect the northern Windward and Leeward Islands on Friday, spreading into the British and U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico over the weekend. This rainfall may produce isolated flash and urban flooding, along with isolated mudslides in areas of higher terrain,” the NHC update continues.

On Wednesday, the U.S. Coast Guard set a “Port Condition ‘Whiskey’” for USVI and Puerto Rico seaports. (A “Port Condition ‘Whiskey’” is a designation meant to alert ship operators that gale-force winds are expected to arrive in the region.)

“Key Messages” from the 5 p.m. update on Wednesday from the NHC. Several weather alerts have been issued across the Lesser Antilles, and visitors and residents in the region should monitor the storm closely. (Photo courtesy of the NHC)

The weather forecast and weather conditions can change rapidly. USVI visitors and residents can read more information about the weather, including severe weather alerts, from the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency website and the National Weather Service. Additionally, readers are encouraged to monitor the latest updates from the National Hurricane Center.