Weather Update: Barbados under Tropical Storm Watch

The Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) has issued a tropical storm watch for Barbados as Potential Tropical Cyclone #5 is forecast to affect the island from Friday morning.

In its first bulletin issued at 5 p.m., the BMS said the system was located at latitude 9.6N, longitude 43.7W or about 1 100 miles (1 770 KM) east of Barbados with maximum sustained winds of 35 miles per hour or 55km/h.

The system is moving west northwest at 21 miles per hour at 33km/h and this is expected to continue with an increase in forward speed over the next few days.

The forecasters advise that rainfall accumulations of six to eight inches are possible on Friday. Watches or warnings for flash-flooding may be issued from Thursday evening.

Meanwhile, a small craft and high-surf advisory is now in effect for Barbados for above normal swell heights until 6 a.m. Saturday

The BMS advised that large open water swells can be hazardous to some vessels and operation of smaller vessels can be difficult at times due to large swells. (BMS)