Caribbean - Central America Weather

[msbee]

News Release

Department of Communication (DCOMM), Philipsburg, Sint Maarten W.I. Tel. +1 721 543-1162, 542-4119, Fax: 543-1169; Email: gis at sintmaarten.net or dcomm at sintmaartengov.org; Website: http://www.sintmaartengov.org

For Immediate Release: Sunday, October 12, 2014/N169-6.45PMODM: TS Gonzalo Strengthens; Schools closed on Monday; Residents urged to complete storm preparations by early tonight; Country under a Tropical Storm Warning

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Department of Disaster Management (ODM) advises residents to complete securing loose obstacles outside in the yard by early this evening eg. plastic containers, garbage bins etc.

All schools are to remain closed on Monday due to the passing of Tropical Storm Gonzalo. This is a precautionary measure in the interests of the safety of school children, teachers, school bus drivers and parents. School management and teachers are urged to report to their respective schools to ensure that measures are taken to prevent any possible damage due to possible flooding.
Businesses can operate as normal, but should monitor weather forecasts as well as information coming from ODM on Monday morning as well as the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten.
Government services will continue as normal on Monday as well.
Tropical Storm Gonzalo at 5.00PM was located 258 miles east south east of Sint Maarten. The storm has also strengthened and further strengthening is forecasted during the next 48 hours and could become a hurricane Tuesday morning.
The country is under a Tropical Storm Warning. Gonzalo is expected to move through the Leeward Islands by early Monday morning.
Tropical storm conditions are expected according to the MDS to reach Leeward Islands/Sint Maarten on Monday morning; expected rainfall between four to eight inches with isolate maximum totals of 12 inches.
Sea swells generated by the storm will start to affect the islands Sunday night and Monday morning and are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Under a Tropical Storm Warning; the warning means that there could be sustained wind speeds of between 39 and 73 miles per hour within 24 to 36 hours or less. Any preparedness measures should be completed as soon as possible under such a warning.
Contractors should secure construction and building sites.
For weather updates visit the site of MDS at: http://www.meteosxm.com

ODM will continue to monitor the progress of the storm. Additional updates will be provided.

[Gustywind]

I think French St Martin is orange too, Gusty..right?

YES!!!

[cycloneye]

Pressure keeps dropping.

SUMMARY OF 800 PM AST...0000 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...16.4N 59.7W
ABOUT 115 MI...180 KM E OF GUADELOUPE
ABOUT 145 MI...235 KM ESE OF ANTIGUA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...45 MPH...75 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 270 DEGREES AT 10 MPH...17 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1002 MB...29.59 INCHES

[Gustywind]

Pressure keeps dropping.

SUMMARY OF 800 PM AST...0000 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...16.4N 59.7W
ABOUT 115 MI...180 KM E OF GUADELOUPE
ABOUT 145 MI...235 KM ESE OF ANTIGUA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...45 MPH...75 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 270 DEGREES AT 10 MPH...17 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1002 MB...29.59 INCHES

Let's hope that this thing does not mean a RIP ( rapid intensification process) as a very strong TS or even a minimal hurricane.

[artist]

Don't check in for a few days and come back to 2 storms. Geeesh


Everyone take care there in the islands.

[fd122]

Getting quite windy here in Antigua. Not much rain though.

[cycloneye]

BULLETIN
TROPICAL STORM GONZALO ADVISORY NUMBER 3
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL082014
1100 PM AST SUN OCT 12 2014

...GONZALO EXPECTED TO STRENGTHEN WHILE IT MOVES THROUGH THE
LEEWARD ISLANDS TONIGHT AND EARLY MONDAY...


SUMMARY OF 1100 PM AST...0300 UTC...INFORMATION
-----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...16.6N 60.2W
ABOUT 80 MI...130 KM ENE OF GUADELOUPE
ABOUT 110 MI...180 KM ESE OF ANTIGUA
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...45 MPH...75 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 275 DEGREES AT 12 MPH...19 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1002 MB...29.59 INCHES


WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY...

NONE.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT...

A HURRICANE WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* PUERTO RICO
* VIEQUES AND CULEBRA
* U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
* BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* GUADELOUPE...DESIRADE...LES SAINTES...AND MARIE GALANTE
* ST. MARTIN
* ST. BARTHELEMY
* ST. MAARTIN
* SABA AND ST. EUSTATIUS
* BARBUDA
* ANTIGUA
* ANGUILLA
* ST. KITTS AND NEVIS
* MONTSERRAT
* PUERTO RICO
* VIEQUES AND CULEBRA
* U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
* BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

[cycloneye]

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JUAN PR
310 AM AST MON OCT 13 2014

.SYNOPSIS...TROPICAL STORM GONZALO WILL PLOW THROUGH THE LEEWARD
ISLANDS AND TURN MORE NORTHWESTERLY DURING THE DAY TODAY. IT IS
EXPECTED TO PASS THROUGH THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OVERNIGHT ON MONDAY
AND LEAVE THE FORECAST AREA TUESDAY NIGHT. AT THAT TIME DRYING
WILL BEGIN BUT LOW LEVEL FLOW WILL REMAIN SOUTHEAST THROUGH MOST
OF THE WEEK.

&&

.DISCUSSION...SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS HAVE BEEN MOVING IN FROM
THE EAST NORTHEAST AND WETTING MOST OF PUERTO RICO UP TO THE
CORDILLERA CENTRAL. SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE SLOWLY...BUT
WINDS AROUND GONZALO ARE MAINLY CONCENTRATED CLOSE TO THE CORE. AS
IT STRENGTHENS THIS WILL EXPAND.

BECAUSE THE TRACK OF GONZALO IS NOW EXPECTED TO BE SOME 60 TO 80
MILES EAST OF THE ORIGINAL TRACK YESTERDAY AFTERNOON...WINDS IN
PUERTO RICO ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BE AS HIGH AND THE FORECAST
REFLECTS THESE CHANGES. RAIN CHANCES REMAIN SIMILAR TO THE
PREVIOUS FORECAST. DRIER WEATHER FOLLOWS THE PASSAGE OF GONZALO AND
WITH A SOUTHERLY COMPONENT IN THE FLOW TEMPERATURES WILL WARM BACK
INTO THE 90S ON THE NORTH COAST BY WEDNESDAY AND ARE EXPECTED TO
REMAIN ABOVE NORMAL FOR MOST OF THE WEEK BY A FEW DEGREES AT
LEAST. SHOWERS WILL CONTINUE LATER IN THE WEEK. SINCE WINDS WILL
BE FAIRLY LIGHT THURSDAY THROUGH POSSIBLY NEXT TUESDAY SOME OF THE
THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON COULD PRODUCE VERY HEAVY RAINFALL
AND AT LEAST URBAN AND SMALL STREAM FLOODING. ALTHOUGH
PRECIPITABLE WATER VALUES DROP BELOW 1.5 INCHES BRIEFLY...THEY
RISE BACK TO 1.9 INCHES BY LATE FRIDAY AND THIS ALSO COINCIDES
WITH A DECREASE IN THE LIFTED INDEX. CURRENTLY THE GFS SHOWS A
MINIMUM OF MINUS 7 DEGREES FOR THE LIFTED INDEX ON FRIDAY AND THIS
MAY ALSO BE THE MOST FAVORABLE TIME FOR STRONG THUNDERSTORMS.

MORE DETAILS ON PRECAUTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS ON TROPICAL STORM
GONZALO MAY BE FOUND IN OUR HURRICANE LOCAL STATEMENT OR H L S.

&&

.AVIATION...CONDITIONS WILL BEGIN TO DETERIORATE RAPIDLY ACROSS
TNCM AND TKPK AFTER 13/12Z...ACROSS TISX AND TIST AFTER 13/16Z AND
ACROSS THE REST OF THE LOCAL FLYING AREA AFTER 13/18Z WITH PERIODS
OF MVFR CONDITIONS OR EVEN IFR CONDITIONS. SHRA/TSRA WILL MOVE
ACROSS THE LOCAL TAF SITES IN BANDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE
CIRCULATION OF TROPICAL STORM GONZALO. LOW LEVEL WINDS WILL
CONTINUE FROM THE EAST NORTHEAST AT 15-20 KT INCREASING DURING THE
REST OF THE DAY AND GUSTY NEAR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

&&

.MARINE...SEAS ARE HIGHLY DEPENDENT ON THE WINDS AND THE POSITION
OF GONZALO DURING ITS JOURNEY THROUGH THE FORECAST AREA. WITH THE
CURRENT FORECAST SHOWING HURRICANE STRENGTH BY THE TIME IT LEAVES
THE FORECAST AREA TO THE NORTH...SEAS COULD EASILY REACH 20 FEET IN
THE ATLANTIC OUTER WATERS OF OUR FORECAST AREA BY TUESDAY. SEAS
WILL ALSO RISE RAPIDLY TO ABOVE 10 FEET WHEN IT ENTERS THE
SOUTHEAST CORNER OF THE FORECAST AREA TONIGHT. SEAS WILL DROP
BELOW SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY CONDITIONS ON THURSDAY.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
SJU 89 76 85 75 / 80 90 90 50
STT 87 77 87 79 / 90 90 90 60

[cycloneye]

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
TROPICAL STORM GONZALO LOCAL STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN JUAN PR
538 AM AST MON OCT 13 2014

...GONZALO TO PASS THROUGH THE LEEWARD ISLANDS TODAY...

.NEW INFORMATION...
STORM INFORMATION AND POSITION.

.AREAS AFFECTED...
THIS LOCAL STATEMENT PROVIDES IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS FOR PEOPLE AND MARINE INTERESTS IN SELECT
LOCATIONS AND COASTAL WATERS OF PUERTO RICO AND THE U.S. VIRGIN
ISLANDS COASTAL WATERS.

.WATCHES/WARNINGS...
A TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND A HURRICANE WATCH CONTINUES FOR THE
FOLLOWING LOCATIONS...SAN JUAN AND VICINITY...NORTHEAST...
SOUTHEAST...EASTERN INTERIOR...NORTH CENTRAL...CENTRAL INTERIOR...
PONCE AND VICINITY...NORTHWEST...WESTERN INTERIOR...MAYAGUEZ AND
VICINITY...SOUTHWEST...CULEBRA...VIEQUES...ST. THOMAS/ST.
JOHN/ADJACENT ISLANDS AND ST CROIX.

FOR MARINE INTERESTS...A TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND A HURRICANE
WATCH CONTINUES FOR ALL OF PUERTO RICO AND THE U.S. VIRGIN
ISLANDS COASTAL WATERS.

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF PUERTO RICO AND THE
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS. PLEASE LISTEN CLOSELY FOR ANY FLOOD WARNINGS
THAT MIGHT BE IN EFFECT FOR YOUR AREA.

.STORM INFORMATION...
AT 5 AM AST...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM GONZALO WAS LOCATED
NEAR LATITUDE 16.8N...LONGITUDE 60.9W. THIS WAS ABOUT 350 MILES
EAST-SOUTHEAST OF SAN JUAN PR...OR ABOUT 290 MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST
OF SAINT THOMAS VI. STORM MOTION WAS W OR 280 DEGREES AT 10 MPH.
STORM INTENSITY WAS 60 MPH.

.SITUATION OVERVIEW...
HEAVY RAINS ASSOCIATED WITH GONZALO WILL OVERSPREAD THE VIRGIN
ISLANDS MONDAY EVENING AND REACH EASTERN PUERTO RICO EARLY TUESDAY
MORNING. RAIN...HEAVY AT TIMES...WILL CONTINUE THROUGH TUESDAY
AFTERNOON. 4 TO 8 INCHES OF RAIN ARE EXPECTED ACROSS EASTERN
PUERTO RICO AND THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS. DETERIORATING MARINE
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED MONDAY NIGHT WITH SEAS UP TO 18 FEET.

.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

NOW IS THE TIME TO RUSH TO COMPLETION PREPARATIONS FOR THE
PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY. EVACUATE IF DIRECTED TO DO SO BY
LOCAL OFFICIALS...OR IF YOUR HOME IS VULNERABLE TO HIGH WINDS OR
FLOODING.

FOR INTERESTS AT PORTS...DOCKS...AND MARINAS...URGENTLY COMPLETE
PRESCRIBED PREPARATIONS ACCORDING TO YOUR EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
PLAN FOR TROPICAL CYCLONES. IF YOU LIVE ON A BOAT...MAKE FINAL
PREPARATIONS FOR SECURING YOUR CRAFT BEFORE LEAVING IT. BE SURE
TO ACCOUNT FOR THE POSSIBLE CLOSURE OF BRIDGES AND CAUSEWAYS.

REGARDING ANY COASTAL WATERS UNDER A WARNING...SMALL CRAFT SHOULD
REMAIN IN PORT AND WELL SECURED.

CLOSELY MONITOR NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER LOCAL NEWS OUTLETS
FOR OFFICIAL STORM INFORMATION. LISTEN FOR POSSIBLE CHANGES TO THE
FORECAST.

FOR ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONARY AND PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION...
PLEASE REFER TO THE DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS RELATIVE TO YOUR
LOCATION AS FURTHER DESCRIBED BY YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE OFFICE AND LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

&&

.NEXT UPDATE...
THE NEXT LOCAL STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER
SERVICE IN SAN JUAN AROUND 8 AM AST...OR SOONER IF CONDITIONS
WARRANT.

[caribepr]

Caribbean Hurricane Network Site

Click at link below

stormcarib.com



Links of Caribbean and Central America Weather Offices and other links below

This thread will be our tent for the whole Caribbean & Centralamerican region. Observations,forecasts,daily weather,web cams and much more are going to be part of this thread.So post away my friends.

Such an excellent list, Luis! Thank you.

[lordkev]

Nothing of note so far here in St Kitts. We had a little rain, but that's since stopped. Wind seem to be picking up a bit maybe, but definitely not near the 45mph reported in Antigua. Rough seas, but that's about it.

[Gustywind]

I'm safe and dry in Guadeloupe. It's raining nicely but nothing bad for the moment. Small lines of showers are swepping my locality. No reports of damages for the moment except for some boats.
Seems that Guadeloupe is luckily partially spared if if this trend continues but let's wait and see as the next hours could bring another big rounds of strong showers and tstorms.

[msbee]

Public Forecast

DATE ISSUED: Monday, October 13, 2014 @ 06:00 Lst (10:00 UTC)
VALID UNTIL: Tuesday morning (06:00 Lst) October 14, 2014

…A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN…
…A HEAVY RAINFALL ADVISORY AND FLOOD WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN FROM MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING…
…A ROUGH SEA ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN…

WEATHER:
This morning: cloudy at first becoming overcast and breezy with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms.
This afternoon through Tuesday morning: Cloudy to overcast and windy with scattered showers, some of which may be heavy with isolated thunderstorms.

Forecast High: 28°C / 82°F Forecast Low: 25°C / 77°F

Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:05 A.M Sunset Tonight: 5:51 P.M

SURFACE WINDS:
Today: Northeasterly with strong breeze to near gale of 25 to 32 miles per hour with higher gusts
Tonight through Monday: Northeast to southeast with gale winds of 25 to 38 miles per hour, gusting to storm force.

SYNOPSIS:
A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for St. Maarten as Tropical Storm Gonzalo continues to approach the Leeward islands. Tropical Storm conditions are expected as the day progresses.
Heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and winds gusting to storm force can be expected across St. Maarten later this morning. All citizen should exercise extreme caution as the system moves through the area. Residents in areas prone to flooding should be vigilant, motorists should be alert as streets will become flooded. All small craft operators are advised to remain in port and persons with interests along the coast should secure their properties as a rough sea advisory is in effect.

STATE OF THE SEA: Moderate to Rough WAVES/SWELLS: 5 to 8 feet

SPECIAL FEATURES:
At 05:00 am, the center of TS Gonzalo was located near 16.8 N, 60.9 W or about 165 miles southeast of St. Maarten. Maximum sustained winds have increased to 60 miles per hour and higher gusts. Gonzalo is moving toward the West near 10 miles per hour, a turn to the west-northwest is forecast today. On this track the center of Gonzalo is expected to pass near St. Maarten this evening.
The Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS) will continue to monitor the progress of this system and residents are advised to do the same.

OUTLOOK through Wednesday morning: Cloudy to overcast and windy with isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms and gradually improving by Tuesday afternoon.

FORECASTER: LeBlanc

The next weather forecast will be issued today at 12:00 Lst (16:00 UTC).

[Gustywind]

Cycloneye, hope that you're OK as Barbara because of Gonzalo seems to be heading towards St Marteen and St Barth.

[msbee]

things are quiet so far in St Maarten. We just had a heavy shower. not much wind.

[Gustywind]

Msbee, given the journalists and the latest infos by the authorities the schools are closed in St Marteen. Are you informed about that?

[Gustywind]

things are quiet so far in St Maarten. We just had a heavy shower. not much wind.

ok keeps us informed stay safe and dry.

[msbee]

yes, we know the schools are closed. not many people on the roads. People have been informed by social media and by radio.
many businesses are closed also or open for one half day.

[Gustywind]

yes, we know the schools are closed. not many people on the roads. People have been informed by social media and by radio.
many businesses are closed also or open for one half day.

ok Barbara, thanks for that

[msbee]

9AM weather at the airport
light rain showers..wind ENE 21 MPH