Oct. 8 (UPI) — Tropical Storm Jerry is expected to strengthen into a hurricane just east of the Leeward Islands in the next day, the National Hurricane Center said Wednesday.
The storm formed about midday Tuesday and had strengthened slightly Wednesday morning, featuring maximum sustained winds of 50 mph, according to the NHC’s 8 a.m. AST update. The storm was about 835 miles east-southeast of the Northern Leeward Islands and was moving west-northwest at 23 mph.
The storm is expected to strengthen, possibly becoming a hurricane by Thursday afternoon as it moves closer to the Leeward Islands. It could bring tropical storm conditions to the islands, including heavy rainfall that could trigger flash flooding Thursday and Friday.
“On the forecast track, the core of the system is expected to be near or to the north of the Leeward Islands late Thursday and Friday,” the NHC said.
A tropical storm watch was in effect for Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, St. Barthelemy, St. Martin, Sint Maarten, Saba, St. Eustatius, and Guadeloupe and the adjacent islands.
The NHC also warned interests in the Leeward Islands and the British and U.S. Virgin Islands to monitor the storm.
