Tropical Storm Dolly is not expected to become a hurricane (see related story) as it approaches the Caribbean this weekend. In fact, the system could be downgraded by then, based on environmental conditions unfavourable for further development starting today, Friday.
The Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS) said the cyclone is no direct threat to the country. In addition, it was moving rather fast at 24 miles per hour, so any impact shouldn’t last too long.
On the other hand, preliminary forecast tracks showed the disturbance in or near the local area late Saturday. Even if significantly weakened, rainy and windy periods may be possible. MDS mentioned scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms on Sunday.
This would not be the first time remains of a tropical storm or depression cause considerable inconvenience on the island. Flash flooding has been a problem in the past even during unclassified downpours.
The advice, as always, is thus to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Accurately predicting the weather under these circumstances remains tricky, while experience teaches that at times it doesn’t take much.
