Tropical Storm Dorian has triggered warnings across the Caribbean islands on Aug. 26, and it could track near Puerto Rico as a hurricane later in the week.
“Interests in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Hispaniola should monitor the progress of Dorian as watches could be required as early as later today,” the agency wrote.
It added that the center of Dorian “is moving toward the west near 14 mph. A turn toward the west-northwest is expected later today, with this motion continuing through Tuesday night.”
Currently, the storm is about 200 miles east-southeast of Barbados as of Monday morning.
“On the forecast track, the center of Dorian is expected to be near the Windward Islands late today and tonight and move into the eastern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday,” according to the NHC.
At the time of the latest update at 8 a.m., Dorian has winds of 60 mph.
NOAA Forecast
The Atlantic hurricane season officially started on June 1 and lasts until Nov. 1, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said there could possibly be four to eight hurricanes.The agency said that for 2019, there will be a “likely range of 9 to 15 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 4 to 8 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 2 to 4 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher).”
The NOAA said it has a 70 percent confidence of its seasonal forecast.
An average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, six hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.
“With the 2019 hurricane season upon us, NOAA is leveraging cutting-edge tools to help secure Americans against the threat posed by hurricanes and tropical cyclones across both the Atlantic and Pacific,” stated Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross in a news release. “Throughout hurricane season, dedicated NOAA staff will remain on alert for any danger to American lives and communities.”
Officials said that regardless of how many storms form, people near coastal areas should remain prepared, as all it takes is one hurricane to cause significant damage.
Dorian is the fourth tropical storm in the Atlantic this year and is poised to become the first hurricane this season.