…TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN...
DATE ISSUED: Thursday, August 27, 2015 TIME ISSUED: 02:30 PM
…ERIKA SLIGHTLY WEAKER…
...ERIKA REMAINS POORLY ORGANIZED…
Location: Lat. 16.5N ....Lon. 63.8W
About: 100 miles S of St. Maarten
Maximum sustained winds: 45 mph ....75 km/h
Present Movement: W...280 degrees at 16 mph …26 km/h
Minimum Central Pressure: 1006 mb....29.71 inches
DISCUSSION AND 24-HOUR OUTLOOK
At 02:00pm…the center of Tropical Storm Erika was estimated near latitude 16.5 North longitude 63.8 West or
about 100 miles south of St. Maarten.
Erika is moving toward the west near 16mph (26 km/h). A turn toward the west-northwest is forecasted for later
today and this general motion should continue for the next 48 hours.
Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast
during the next 48 hours.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km) from the center.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1006 mb (29.71 inches).
According to these coordinates, the center of Erika is currently south of St. Maarten.
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND AND SEA
WIND:
Tropical storm force winds are currently affecting the Northeastern Caribbean.
RAINFALL:
Erika is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 4 to 8 inches (102 to 203 mm) with maximum
amounts of 12 inches (305 mm) across portions of the Northeastern Caribbean through Saturday.
Severe flooding is possible across the local region today.
STORM SURGE/WAVES:
Erika is expected to produce waves up to 13 feet (4 m) near the center of the storm as it approaches the
Northern Leeward Islands. Some coastal flooding and beach erosion is possible as the storm passes its
nearest to St. Maarten.
ALL CITIZENS/ RESIDENTS SHOULD REMAIN VIGILANT AND CONTINUE TO LISTEN TO
UPDATES TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY AND BE READY TO TAKE THE NECESSARY
ACTION IF CALLED UPON.
RESIDENTS AND USERS OF FLOOD-PRONE AREAS SHOULD TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTION AND
PREPARE THEMSELVES TO EVACUATE, IF NECESSARY.
The Meteorological Department of St. Maarten will continue to monitor Tropical Storm Erika and issue
Special Weather Bulletins.
Forecast Section 501A
The next update will be issued today at 17:30 Lst (21:30 UTC).
