Tropical Storm Bret continues Westward movement.
Current position/movement:
LOCATION...13.0N 52.5W
ABOUT 470 MI...760 KM E OF BARBADOS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...60 MPH...95 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 280 DEGREES AT 14 MPH...22 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1001 MB...29.56 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Tropical Storm Warning in in effect for...
* St. Lucia
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* Barbados
* Dominica
* Martinique
Interests elsewhere in the Lesser Antilles should monitor the progress of Bret. Additional watches or warnings will likely be required for these islands today.
At 1100 AM AST (1500 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Bret was located near latitude 13.0 North, longitude 52.5 West. Bret is moving toward the west near 14 mph (22 km/h), and this general motion with an increase in forward speed is expected during the next several days. On the forecast track, the center of Bret is expected to approach the Lesser Antilles on Thursday, move across the Lesser Antilles late Thursday and Thursday night, and then move westward across the eastern and central Caribbean Sea Friday and Saturday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph (95 km/h) with higher gusts. Some increase in strength is forecast before Bret reaches the Lesser Antilles. Weakening is expected by Friday once Bret moves over the Caribbean Sea, and the system is likely to dissipate on Saturday.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km) from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1001 mb (29.56 inches).
RAINFALL: Through Saturday, storm total rainfall amounts of 3 to 6inches with maximum amounts of 10 inches are possible across portions of the Lesser Antilles from Guadeloupe south to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, including Barbados. The heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding, especially across areas of higher terrain. Urban flooding is also possible.
SURF: Swells generated by Bret are expected to begin affecting portions of the Lesser Antilles on Thursday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.