REGION – TS Josephine passing NE of the Leeward Islands

There are currently no coastal watches or warnings in effect for Tropical Storm Josephine, but interests in the Leeward Islands are being urged to continue to monitor the progress of this system, which is about 200 miles (320 km) east north east of the northern Leeward Islands.

At 11 a.m. the centre of TS Josephine was located near latitude 19.1 north, longitude 60.2 west, moving toward the west-northwest near 16 mph (26 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue for the next day or two followed by a turn toward the northwest early next week.

According to the Miami-based National Hurricane Centre (NHC) on this forecast track, the centre of Josephine is expected to pass to the northeast of the Leeward Islands today and tonight.

Reports from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts and little change in strength is expected through today. After that, Josephine is expected to weaken as it encounters unfavorable upper-level winds.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 80 miles (130 km) to the north of the centre. The minimum central pressure estimated from the Hurricane Hunter aircraft data is 1008 mb (29.77 inches).

The NHC said Josephine is expected to cause storm total rainfall of one to three inches over portions of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Isolated minor flooding is possible in Puerto Rico through Monday.(NHC)