Are the leeward islands,virgin islands and Puerto Rico safe?

[cycloneye]

At this point not yet because the hurricane is well below the latitud of the northern islands.However if the track goes more north than 18.0n the latitud of the northern leewards,the VI and PR then they will not see a direct hit.The key for the northern islands to escape the worse is for the hurricane to move above the 18n latitud because if it not does so then it will come west and the worse case scenario will unfold.Fellow islanders let's keep watching very closely the track and let's pray that it pass the 18n line.

[msbee]

we're watching Luis!

[Weatherboy1]

Based on everything I've seen and read, I believe our "islanders" on this board will be safe. Most models (with the exception of a few outliers) track Frances a few hundred miles N and NE of of the Leewards and PR. Too early to let your guard down completely, of course. But so far, so good -- because this thing is looking like it will hit major hurricane status over the next couple of days, and I'd hate for it to hit you guys.

As for the US ... definitely too early to call it. I think by late Sunday, we'll have a better idea there.

[rbaker]

around 50-55 long w will tell the story the northern islands and pr. esp if it stays on present course.

[dhweather]

It's simply too early to say. The models have been moving westward for a day now. Wait and see.

[Hyperstorm]

I think the islands are safe. Confidence on this is fairly high. HOWEVER, always keep watching just in case a longer than expected west wobble occurs. It is quite unlikely, however.

This "around the islands" track can be compared to MANY hurricanes...Floyd and Fran come to mind...

[cycloneye]

And Hyperstorm last year Isabel which came up from lower latituds NW and then turned west above 20n.

[cycloneye]

Hmm tonight after seeing the track I am a little more worried that it may pass closer than expected north of the islands but hopefully that doesn't happen.