In response to the imminent threat posed by Tropical Storm Tammy, the governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, and St Kitts and Nevis have taken proactive measures by placing their islands under a Tropical Storm Watch.
This move followed advisories issued on Wednesday for Barbados, Dominica, Martinique, and Guadeloupe.
Tracking Tammy’s progress
Reports are that as of 5 a.m. on Thursday, Tropical Storm Tammy was positioned approximately 775 kilometers east-southeast of Guadeloupe, packing sustained winds of about 40 mph (65 km/h).
The United States National Hurricane Center (NHC) has noted that Tammy is currently traversing extremely warm waters as it approaches the Leeward Islands.
This environment is expected to foster further intensification, even in the face of moderate wind shear.
The NHC’s latest forecast indicates that Tammy is likely to reach near-hurricane strength as it approaches or crosses over the Leeward Islands sometime between Friday and Saturday.
Tropical storm conditions could potentially manifest within the watch area starting Friday.
Rainfall concerns
Tammy is anticipated to bring substantial rainfall to the region.
Forecasters project that through Saturday night, the storm could unleash total rainfall accumulations of three to six inches, with localized areas receiving up to 10 inches, primarily across portions of the northern Windward Islands extending into the Leeward Islands.
Additionally, the British and US Virgin Islands, as well as eastern Puerto Rico, are expected to experience rainfall totals of one to two inches, with maximum accumulations reaching four inches.
These downpours may lead to sporadic instances of flash flooding and urban inundation, with isolated areas of higher terrain at risk of mudslides.
Dangerous surf and rip currents
Apart from heavy rainfall, Tropical Storm Tammy is set to generate perilous sea conditions.
Swells originating from the storm are projected to impact sections of the Lesser Antilles later today.
These swells have the potential to create life-threatening surf conditions and rip currents, posing a serious hazard to coastal areas.
