Tropical Storm warning issued over BVI as TS Laura approaches

A tropical storm warning has been issued for the British Virgin Islands following the upgrade of Tropical Depression 13 to Tropical Storm Laura.

This is according to the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) who issued a bulletin on Friday which said the territory is expected to experience tropical storm conditions within the next 12 to 24 hours.

At 2 pm, the centre of Tropical Storm Laura was locate near latitude 17 degrees north, longitude 60.8 West.

“Laura is moving toward the west near 18 mph and a generally west-northwestward motion at a faster forward speed is expected over the next couple of days,” the DDM said.

“On the current forecast track, the centre of Tropical Storm Laura will move near or over portions of the Leeward Islands later today, near or over Puerto Rico Saturday morning, and near the northern coast of Hispaniola late Saturday and early Sunday,” the DDM added.

The weather bulletin further said tropical storm winds extend outward from the centre of the storm up to 150 miles. Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph with higher gusts.

Some slow strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours.