TROPICAL STORM IRENE APPROACHING THE LEEWARD ISLANDS.

Tropical storm Irene advisory number 2 issued by the National Hurricane Centre (Miami FL)   at 1100 pm on Sat Aug. 20, 2011

Summary at 1100 pm, Saturday:

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Location: 15.3n, 59.9w (or about 95 miles east of Dominica)

Maximum sustained winds: 50 mph

Present movement: West (or 280 degrees) at 22 mph

Minimum central pressure: 1006 mb...29.71 inches

"A tropical storm warning is in effect for Dominica and the Leeward Islands

Tropical storm conditions could occur elsewhere in the northern Leeward Islands tonight and early Sunday.

On the forecast track, Irene will pass through the Leeward islands early Sunday and move into the northeastern Caribbean sea later on Sunday. 

 Maximum sustained winds remain near 50 mph with higher gusts expected.  Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and Irene could become a hurricane on Monday.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 120 miles mainly to the north and east of the centre.

Tropical storm conditions are expected in the Leeward Islands overnight into Sunday.  Tropical storm conditions are expected to begin Sunday afternoon in the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Hurricane conditions are possible over the Dominican Republic by late Monday with tropical storm conditions possible by Monday afternoon.

Irene is expected to produce 4 to 7 inches of rainfall in the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin islands, with isolated maximum amounts of up to 10 inches."

No official warning have been issued for St. Lucia; but we have to remain our guard for flash flooding, storm surge, and gusty winds.

Source: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT4+shtml/210241.shtml