Federation on Tropical Storm Warning

ZIZ Newsroom, Basseterre, August 21, 2012:

St. Kitts Nevis has been put on a tropical storm warning for an approaching weather system.

According to the National Hurricane Centre this afternoon Tropical Depression Nine was moving toward the west near 18 mph and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 48 hours.

Elmo Burke, Senior Met Officer said that from tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon conditions are expected to be cloudy with light showers, but in the evening, at around 5, they expect the weather to slowly get worse. This would include more moderate showers, thunderstorms and gusty conditions.

He says they are expecting the worst of the weather at about 8 pm with winds reaching about 40 to 45 mph and gusting higher in showers.

He says Seas will be very rough tomorrow especially in the evening and into the night. They are expecting to become tropical storm Helene when it reaches the island chain. It is expected to pass south of St.Kitts and Nevis but we would still feel the effects.

Mr Burke says it is expected to move away from the islands by early Thursday morning. However although it’s away, the rain bands will still be affecting into later on Thursday so showers and gusty conditions will continue.

Seas will also remain moderate to generally rough on Thursday.

The National Hurricane Centre says total rain accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are possible over the Northern Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands.