An approaching tropical wave associated with the remnants of Tropical Depression Kirk, located approximately 700 miles east of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, will begin to affect our islands by tomorrow night.
This system which is tracking westward near 25 mph (47 km/h) has been fluctuating in intensity and some re-development is possible as it approaches the Windward Islands. This may require the issuing of a Tropical Storm Watch or Warning for St. Vincent and the Grenadines at short notice.
Regardless of development, sustained surface winds of between 25 to 35 mph (40 to 55 km/h) with higher gusts are expected to spread across the islands starting tomorrow night and persisting into Thursday.
In addition, pockets of moderate to heavy showers, periods of rain and scattered thunderstorms are expected. Rainfall accumulations of at least 2 to 4 inches (50 to 100 millimetres) are possible between Wednesday night and Friday morning. Some flash-flooding are likely in low-lying areas.
Also, large easterly to south-easterly swells of up to 3.5 to 4.5 (11 to 15 ft) are also forecast to accompany the system. These adverse sea-conditions are expected to persist into the week-end when northerly swells being generated by Post-Tropical cyclone Leslie in the north-central Atlantic, propagate southwards across the Lesser Antilles.
Large waves and dangerous rip-tides can be expected. These will create unsafe conditions for small-craft operators. Sea-bathers and other users of the sea are also advised to stay out of the water.
Thus, a High-Surf Advisory and Small-Craft Warning will be in effect from 6:00 a.m Wednesday, 26th September, 2018 until 6:00 a.m Monday, 1st October.
A small-craft Warning means in this case that mean wind-speeds of 25 to 33 knots (47 to 62 km/h) and/or seas equal to or greater than 3m (10ft) will be affecting the marine area.
A High-Surf Advisory is issued when breaking wave action poses a threat to life and property within the surf zone.
The St Vincent and the Grenadines Meteorological Services and the Barbados Meteorological Services will continue to monitor this system and provide updates necessary.
