Possible hurricane threat to Caribbean countries as Tropical Storm Bret forms in Atlantic Ocean

Forecasters believe there could be a possible hurricane threat to Caribbean islands after Tropical Storm Bret formed in the central Atlantic Ocean on Monday. It is forecasted that Bret could pose a hurricane threat to the Lesser Antilles by Thursday and the Dominican Republic and Haiti by the weekend. At 5 p.m. Monday, the Bret had maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour (mph) and was moving west over the Atlantic at 21 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Forecasters expect it to strengthen over the next two days, reaching Category 1 hurricane strength of 74 mph by Wednesday night. Because of wind shear, the storm is not expected to strengthen into a Category 2 storm. The center said that Bret is expected to strengthen and move across the Lesser Antilles as a hurricane on Thursday and Friday, adding that it may bring a risk of flooding from heavy rainfall, hurricane-force winds, and dangerous storm surge and waves. The storm could also turn north or continue west into the Caribbean and threaten the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and other islands. The center advised that those in the Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands closely monitor updates to the forecast for this system and have their hurricane plan in place.

The Meteorological Service of Jamaica (Met Service) on Tuesday reported that Bret is projected to move closer to Jamaica by next Monday.

Forecasters warn that Bret could become a threat as a hurricane when it enters the Caribbean on Friday, however, it could weaken as it gets closer to the island.