The National Hurricane Center has designated a long-watched area in the Atlantic as Potential Tropical Cyclone number 5. As the system approaches the Caribbean this weekend, it is expected to become Tropical Storm Elsa.
Current forecasts do not show the storm strengthening beyond tropical storm force winds in the next five days. At present, south Florida is barely within the five-day cone of uncertainty. It is worth noting that it is entirely too early to know any specific impacts to the Attractions Area, but the area is NOT in the current cone which depicts the expected path of the center of the storm. It’s also too early to know how large or sloppy the storm system would be, and whether rain or wind impacts would spread far from the center. The path of the storm will also, of course, be monitored closely by those coordinating rescue efforts in Surfside, FL.
The Attractions Area should monitor the system as we approach the holiday weekend, and start thinking about any preparations that might be needed should the forecast change. And maybe start prepping your Frozen jokes.
In the meantime, keep calm and carry on!
523 WTNT35 KNHC 302050 TCPAT5 BULLETIN Potential Tropical Cyclone Five Advisory Number 1 NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL052021 500 PM AST Wed Jun 30 2021 ...TROPICAL DISTURBANCE IN THE ATLANTIC BECOMING BETTER ORGANIZED... ...TROPICAL STORM WATCHES ISSUED FOR PORTIONS OF THE LESSER ANTILLES... SUMMARY OF 500 PM AST...2100 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...9.6N 43.7W ABOUT 1195 MI...1920 KM E OF THE WINDWARD ISLANDS MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...35 MPH...55 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 285 DEGREES AT 21 MPH...33 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1008 MB...29.77 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: The Meteorological Service of Barbados has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Barbados, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines. The Meteorological Service of St. Lucia has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for St. Lucia. The Government of France has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for Martinique. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for... * St. Vincent and the Grenadines * St. Lucia * Barbados * Martinique A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours. Interests elsewhere in the Windward Islands, Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti should monitor the progress of this system. Warnings and additional watches will likely be required tonight and on Thursday. For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service. DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 500 PM AST (2100 UTC), the disturbance was centered near latitude 9.6 North, longitude 43.7 West. The system is moving toward the west-northwest near 21 mph (33 km/h) and this motion is expected to continue with an increase in forward speed during the next couple of days. On the forecast track, the system will pass near or over portions of the Windward Islands or the southern Leeward Islands on Friday, move into the eastern Caribbean Sea late Friday and Friday night, and move near the southern coast of Hispaniola on Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and the disturbance is expected to become a tropical storm tonight or on Thursday. * Formation chance through 48 hours...high...70 percent. * Formation chance through 5 days...high...90 percent. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1008 mb (29.77 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- Key messages for Potential Tropical Cyclone Five can be found in the Tropical Cyclone Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT5, WMO header WTNT45 KNHC and on the web at www.hurricanes.gov/graphics_at5.shtml?key_messages. WIND: Tropical-storm conditions are possible in portions of the Windward and southern Leeward Islands on Friday. RAINFALL: The potential tropical cyclone will produce rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches with maximum totals of 8 inches on Friday across the Windward and southern Leeward Islands, including Barbados. This rain may produce isolated flash flooding and mudslides. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next intermediate advisory at 800 PM AST. Next complete advisory at 1100 PM AST.