TD-13 Will Bring Heavy Rains to the Northern Leeward Islands on Friday

Scott Martin | August 20, 2020 @ 9:53 pm

SUMMARY OF 1100 PM AST…0300 UTC…INFORMATION

LOCATION…17.0N 55.5W
ABOUT 505 MI…815 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…1009 MB…29.80 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 1100 PM AST (0300 UTC), the center of Tropical Depression Thirteen was located near latitude 17.3 North, longitude 56.4 West. The depression is moving toward the west-northwest near 22 mph (35 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 remain near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is forecast, and the depression is likely to become a tropical storm by the weekend.

The estimated minimum central pressure based on NOAA Hurricane Hunter data is 1008 MB (29.77 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

RAINFALL: The depression is expected to produce 3 to 6 inches of rainfall over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands through Sunday. Heavy rainfall associated with the depression may cause mudslides on sensitive slopes and flash and urban flooding through Sunday. Over the northern Leeward Islands, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti, 1 to 3 inches of rain with isolated maximum totals of 5 inches are expected.

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 10:00 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.