Tropical Storm Maria's path. Photo: NOAA

The Antigua Meteorological Office discontinued the Tropical Storm Warning yesterday as information from the hurricane reconnaissance aircraft revealed that Maria had lost its Tropical Storm characteristics.

The Storm regenerated however majority of the intense winds and thunderstorms were located in the North East quadrant extending from the centre to about 200 miles limiting the effects on the VI. The system however has the probability of creating heavy showers and it is possible some of the outer rain bands can draft south westward and affect the territory as the storm gradually makes it way North West away from the area.

For that reason a Flash Flood Watch has been issued for the VI until 6pm today. A Flash flood watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flash flooding in flood-prone areas where grounds are already saturated from recent rains.

Current Location: 19.0N/63.7W

Geographic Reference: 66 miles east-northeast of Tortola

Movement: Northwest at 13 mph

Maximum Winds: 60 mph gusting to 75 mph

Organizational Trend: Steadily strengthening

Forecast

5:00am-Maria is still forecast to continue moving to the northwest over the next 48 hours, then turn to the north. By early Wednesday, Maria should begin to accelerate to the northeast. On this track, this system will be between the Mid-Atlantic coast and Bermuda late Wednesday and nearing Newfoundland by Friday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to 60 mph this morning. Further strengthening is forecast to begin in 36-48 hours, but this strengthening could begin earlier. Maria is expected to be a tropical storm as it moves west of Bermuda and still a tropical storm as it approaches the Canadian Maritimes. There is a slight chance Maria could reach hurricane intensity by the middle of the week.

Marine Conditions

Winds in the North can increase between 30 to 40 miles per hour this morning and shift to the North West at 25 to 30 mph this afternoon. Seas can increase 10 to 14feet. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect from 8AM this morning until Monday.

Residents and visitors should continue to monitor the weather conditions in the event the Flash Flood Watch has to be upgraded to a Flash Flood Warning at short notice.

The Department of Disaster Management will continue to monitor the weather conditions and provide updates accordingly. Please visit the DDM’s website at www.bviddm.com and subscribe to the notification link to receive further updates.