BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Tropical Storm Jerry continues to intensify in the Atlantic as it moves steadily toward the Leeward Islands, with forecasters warning that the system could strengthen into a hurricane by late Friday or Saturday.
According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), as of 11:00 a.m. local time, the center of Jerry was located near latitude 15.9° North, longitude 59.1° West, moving west-northwest at 18 mph (29 km/h). A slower northward motion is expected on Friday and Saturday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph (105 km/h) with higher gusts, and gradual strengthening is forecast in the coming days. Jerry is expected to become a hurricane by the weekend.
Forecasters expect 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) of rain across the Leeward Islands from Thursday into early Friday, which could lead to flash flooding in low-lying or vulnerable areas. In addition to rain, rough seas and tropical storm-force winds are anticipated in the affected zones.
The government of Antigua and Barbuda has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Barbuda.
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:
- Antigua
- Anguilla
- Barbuda
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- Montserrat
- St. Barts
- St. Martin and Sint Maarten
- Saba and St. Eustatius
- Guadeloupe and adjacent islands
A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within 12 hours, while a watch indicates such conditions are possible within 48 hours.
The NHC has advised residents across the northern Leeward Islands, as well as in the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, to monitor Jerry’s progress closely, as changes to its intensity or track could alter the local impact.
