TD-13 Now Not Expected to Become a Tropical Storm Until Friday

Scott Martin | August 20, 2020 @ 3:57 pm

SUMMARY OF 500 PM EDT…2100 UTC…INFORMATION

LOCATION…16.7N 53.9W
ABOUT 615 MI…990 KM E OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…35 MPH…55 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 21 MPH…33 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…1008 MB…29.77 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…
* Puerto Rico, Vieques and Culebra
* U.S. Virgin Islands
* British Virgin Islands
* Saba and St. Eustatius
* St. Maarten
* St. Martin and St. Barthelemy
* Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, and Anguilla

Interests elsewhere in the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico should monitor the progress of this system, as additional tropical storm watches or warnings will be required for portions of those areas later today.

DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK

At 500 PM AST (2100 UTC), the center of Tropical Depression Thirteen was located near latitude 16.7 North, longitude 53.9 West. The depression is moving toward the west-northwest near 21 mph (33 km/h) and this motion is expected to continue for the next few days. On the forecast track, the depression is expected to move near or north of the northern Leeward Islands by late Friday, near or north of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Saturday, and near or north of Hispaniola Saturday night.

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is forecast, and the depression is forecast to become a tropical storm on Friday.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1008 MB (29.77 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

RAINFALL: The depression is expected to produce 1 to 3 inches of rain with isolated maximum totals of 5 inches over the northern Leeward Islands, and maximum totals of 3 to 6 inches over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands through Sunday.

WIND: Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area late Friday and Saturday.

Information taken from the latest National Hurricane Center Public Advisory as of 4:00 pm.

Category: ALL POSTS, Severe Weather, Tropical

About the Author (Author Profile)

Scott Martin is an operational meteorologist, professional graphic artist, musician, husband, and father. Not only is Scott a member of the National Weather Association, but he is also the Central Alabama Chapter of the NWA president. Scott is also the co-founder of Racecast Weather, which provides forecasts for many racing series across the USA. He also supplies forecasts for the BassMaster Elite Series events including the BassMaster Classic.