Tropical Storm Watch for BVI discontinued

Weather officials have discontinued the Tropical Storm Watch that was issued for the British Virgin Islands.

This is because Tropical Storm Grace has moved further south and now the chances of the BVI feeling sustained tropical-storm-force winds are significantly reduced.

“On the other hand, as Tropical Storm Grace continues to move in a West North Westerly motion towards the Dominican Republic, in addition to moisture content in the area, the chance of heavy rainfall is still possible,” the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) said in a weather bulletin Sunday morning.

Potential impacts of the storm include heavy showers carrying an estimated three to six inches of rain, rough seas, and flooding.

Meanwhile, at 8 am this morning, the centre of Tropical Storm Grace was located near latitude 17.1 degrees north and longitude 65.4 degrees west.

Grace is moving toward the west-northwest near 16 mph (26 km/h).

The DDM has said a continued west-northwestward motion at a slower forward speed is expected over the next few days.

“Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is expected before Grace reaches Hispaniola on Monday,” it stated.

“Weakening is forecast as the system crosses Hispaniola Monday and Monday night. Little change in strength is expected on Tuesday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the centre,” the DDM added.