BVI to feel effects of Tropical Storm Eta for the next four days

Outer bands from Tropical Storm Eta are forecasted to affect the British Virgin Islands up until Friday November 13, despite the storm being 1,080.5 statute miles to the west-north-west of the territory.

The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) gave that prediction in a in a weather forecast on Monday.

“Moisture and instability associated with a tropical wave and spiral bands from Tropical Storm Eta will maintain an unsettled atmosphere over the region for the next four days,” the DDM stated.

“Therefore, generally cloudy skies will prevail with at least a high chance of showers and for the most a 70 percent or high chance of thunderstorms. A generally easterly wind flow will prevail with moderate to fresh winds expected. Some gusts are also possible,” it added.

The DDM also said the territorial waters will remain “generally safe” for the next two days but warned that after, seas will become hazardous and all persons using the seas should be extremely cautious.

Tropical storm Eta is the record-tying 28th named storm, 12th hurricane and most powerful tropical cyclone of the extremely active 2020 Atlantic hurricane season.

Eta originated from a vigorous tropical wave in the eastern Caribbean Sea that developed into a tropical depression late on October 31.

Early on November 1, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Eta, tying the record set in 2005 for the most named storms in a season.

Later that day, Eta began to rapidly intensify, and it attained hurricane status early on November 2.

Eta regained tropical storm status on November 4 after peaking at winds speed of 150 miles per hour.