TS Chris Forms Off Windward Islands

The third named storm of the current season, Chris, has formed in the Atlantic east of the Windward Islands. The latest advisory bulletin from Miami’s National Hurricane Center, noted that a tropical depression it has been monitoring strengthened early this morning to a tropical storm.

“The respective governments have issued a tropical storm warning for the islands of Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, St. Kitts, Nevis, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Barthelemy, St. Martin and St. Maarten,” said the bulletin. Tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 12 to 24 hours. The NHC also indicated that a “tropical storm watch has been issued for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and for the British Virgin Islands.” According to the NHC’s three-day forecast the storm track would pass north of Puerto Rico, but could strike the Bahamas, and eventually Florida, later this week.

The NHC said the storm’s center was located near latitude 16.6 north/longitude 59.2 west or about 175 miles/280 kms. east of Antigua. “Chris is moving toward the west-northwest near 9 mph/15 km/hr, and this general heading is expected to continue over the next 24 hours,” said the bulletin. “Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph/65 km/hr. with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours.”