Tropical wave forecast to move across BVI on Saturday

Only one of two tropical waves remains a threat to the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

The one that is still of concern is forecast to move across the territory on Saturday, resulting in shower and thunderstorm activity, said the Department of Disaster Management (DDM).

The DDM, which gathers information from a number of professional sources, added that it has been tracking the tropical waves along with the National Emergency Operations Centre.

It explained that the wave that is still a threat to the BVI is located more than 1500 miles to the east of Trinidad, along 38 degrees west.

“It is moving to the west-northwest at 27 miles per hour. Environmental conditions will not be favourable for tropical storm development over the next several days. There is a low  (10 percent) chance of development over the next seven days,” the DDM further explained.

“This wave is projected to move across the British Virgin Islands on Saturday, increasing shower and thunderstorm activity. Residents are encouraged to monitor the progress of the tropical wave as it approaches the territory.”

Meanwhile, in relation to the second tropical wave, which is no longer a threat to the BVI, the DDM said it is is located 580 miles to the east-northeast of the Leeward Islands, along 53 degrees west.

“It is moving to the north-northwest at 18 miles per hour. The disturbance is turning northward and weakening. This disturbance is no longer expected to develop, and is not expected to pose any threat to land,” added the DDM.

The BVI, within the last three months, has been affected by a number of tropical waves and two category 5 hurricanes – especially Hurricane Irma that caused widespread devastation on September 6.

Before that, on August 7, a tropical wave dumped 17 inches of rainfall on the island of Tortola, causing severe flooding and landslides.

Up to this week, a relatively weak tropical wave, combined with a deep layer trough, also caused flooding on sections of the island.