Tropical Storm Harvey has formed a couple hundred miles east of the Windward Islands, and may pose a threat early next week in parts of Central America’s Caribbean coast.
Tropical storm warnings were issued for parts of the Windward Islands, including Martinique, St. Lucia, Barbados and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Warnings are issued when tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours. A tropical storm watch was posted for Dominica, where those conditions are possible within that timeframe.
The NHC said in a Thursday morning discussion that data from NOAA buoys indicate the low-pressure circulation has become better defined.
A hurricane hunter aircraft determined that the tropical storm, previously known at Invest 91L, has a closed circulation and winds of 40 mph.
Harvey will bring 2 to 4 inches of rain, which could trigger dangerous flash flooding and landslides in mountainous terrain.
After that, the system will then track westward through the rest of the Caribbean Sea, and may eventually pose a threat to parts of Central America and/or Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula early next week.
It’s not clear how strong this tropical storm will become through its Caribbean trek, due to potential interaction with dry air. Interests throughout the Caribbean should monitor the progress of this system through early next week.
At this time, Tropical Storm Harvey is not a threat to the United States.
