ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tropical Storm Dorian is a little stronger this morning with maximum sustained winds 60 mph.

It’s moving northwest at 13 mph.

This will bring it near or over Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands later today.

It could be near hurricane strength and there will be heavy rain leading to flooding concerns.

Some weakening is possible after Dorian moves across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.  Dorian is expected to re-strengthen late this week and this weekend while passing near or to the east of the Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas.

A wind gust to near 39 mph was recently reported at St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Models continue to indicate that the upper-level flow pattern and shear conditions are expected to remain favorable for strengthening when Dorian is near the Bahamas. A westward turn is possible over the weekend and Dorian could make an East Coast of Florida landfall.

However, there remains a large degree of uncertainty, especially after Dorian emerges north of Puerto Rico.

Many factors will determine its track and strength as it approaches the United States and there is a higher than usual uncertainty due to the large spread in the model guidance.

So as we look ahead to our Labor Day weekend forecast, we expect a higher rain chance but the strength of winds and what type of a system Dorian will be is still uncertain.

Stay tuned because there will likely be changes coming to the forecast within the next 24 to 48 hours.

Tropical Storm Dorian

SUMMARY OF 8:00 AM INFORMATION

LOCATION...17.1N 64.1W

ABOUT 60 MILES SE OF ST. CROIX

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...60 MPH

PRESENT MOVEMENT...NW AT 13 MPH

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1003 MB...29.62 INCHES

CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:

The government of the Dominican Republic has modified the watches and warnings and now a Tropical Watch is in effect from Isla Saona to Samana.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...

* Puerto Rico

* Vieques

* Culebra

* U.S. Virgin Islands

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...

* Puerto Rico

* Vieques

* Culebra

* U.S. Virgin Islands

* British Virgin Islands

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...

* Dominican Republic from Isla Saona to Samana

TROPICAL STORM ERIN

 

SUMMARY OF 500 AM INFORMATION

LOCATION...32.5N 72.4W

ABOUT 435 MILES W OF BERMUDA

ABOUT 265 MILES SE OF CAPE HATTERAS NORTH CAROLINA

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...40 MPH

PRESENT MOVEMENT...NNW AT 6 MPH...9 KM/H

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1005 MB...29.68 INCHES

WATCHES AND WARNINGS

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There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

 

Tropical Storm Erin is located in the Atlantic Ocean with maximum sustained winds remain near 40 mph.

Some slight strengthening is possible today while the system remains over warm waters.

Then it is forecast to gradually weaken Thursday as it completes a transition to an extratropical cyclone..

Be sure to stay tuned for the tropical update at :49 past the hour.