Tropical Storm Philippe’s dumping rain over Caribbean islands. Here’s the forecast
Tropical Storm Philippe is expected to continue pouring several inches of rain on Caribbean Islands early Wednesday morning, and the National Hurricane Center forecasts the storm will turn north later in the week.
At the hurricane center’s 5 p.m. Tuesday advisory, the weather agency announced that a tropical storm watch was discontinued for the British Virgin Islands but that the threatof flooding and swells remained across the region.
Here’s the rest of what the hurricane center had to say about Philippe.
Where is it: Philippe was 85 miles north of St. Thomas.
Wind speed: Maximum sustained winds remained at 45 mph. Tropical storm force winds extended up to 160 miles to the east of the storm’s center.
Movement: Philippe was heading northwest at 12 mph.
“A turn toward the north-northwest is forecast on Wednesday, followed by a faster motion toward the north on Thursday and Friday,” the hurricane center said. “On the forecast track, the center of Philippe will move away from the Virgin Islands.
“Philippe will then approach Bermuda Thursday night and Friday.”
Strength forecast:. “Little change in strength is forecast during the next day or two, but Philippe could begin to strengthen after midweek,” the hurricane center said.
Hazards:
Heavy rains are forecast to continue falling on several Caribbean islands, including the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
▪ Anguilla southward to Montserrat, including St. Kitts and Nevis, and the British Virgin Islands: 4 to 8 inches of rain with maximum amounts to 12 inches.
▪ The remainder of the Leeward Islands and northern Windward Islands: 1 to 4 inches.
▪ The U.S. Virgin Islands and northeast Puerto Rico: 2 to 4 inches.
According to the hurricane center, gusty winds are likely to continue across portions of the northern Leeward Islands and the Virgin Islands through Wednesday.
Swells generated by Philippe will also affect portions of the Atlantic coasts of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico through midweek.
“These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,” the hurricane center said.
Will Florida be affected? Florida and the continental United States coast are not on the forecast track.
Next advisory: The next full advisory will be at 11 p.m. Tuesday.
This story was originally published October 3, 2023 at 7:18 AM.
