UPDATE: Tropical Storm Florence not forecast to be a threat to BVI

Tropical Storm Florence is not forecast to be a threat to the British Virgin Islands, the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) has said.

In its 5pm update on Saturday, September 1, the weather system was still moving in a west-northwesterly direction at 16 miles per hour, and its projected course is away from the BVI.

“This will be the final advisory issued by the DDM on Florence unless there is significant change and the system becomes a threat to the territory. The DDM will continue to monitor this system and any new developments moving off the African coast and provide updates accordingly,” the DDM said.

Florence, in the meantime, is said to be producing maximum sustained winds near 45 miles per hour and might ‘strengthen slightly’ as it continues on its course over the next few days.

Up to press time on Saturday, the centre of Tropical Storm Florence was located near latitude 15.6 north and longitude 29 west.

The tropical storm formed in the eastern Atlantic near the Cabo Verde Islands on Saturday morning.

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A tropical storm has formed in the eastern Atlantic near the Cabo Verde Islands.

Tropical Storm Florence formed Saturday morning and is moving in a west-northwesterly direction with maximum sustained winds of about 40 miles per hour, the National Hurricane Centre in the United States reported at 5 o’clock Saturday morning, September 1.

The Department of Disaster Management (DDM), in the meantime, described the tropical storm as being “several hundred miles away from the territory”.

“Forecasters have indicated that the system is currently projected to continue on a west-northwest path for the next several days, taking it north of the Caribbean Islands,” the DDM said.

Residents, however, are advised that these predictions are subject to change so they should continue to monitor the weather system.

Another update will be released on Tropical Storm Florence at 5pm.