NHC: Tropical Storm Maria Forecast To Reach Hurricane Status Near Leeward Islands Early Next Week
By Space Coast Daily // September 16, 2017
Spaghetti Models SHOW MOVEMENT TOWARD FLORIDA
NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER – At 5 p.m. Saturday, Tropical Depression 15 is now Tropical Storm Maria and is forecast to be a hurricane when it approaches the Leeward Islands early next week, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Maria was centered the center of Tropical Storm Maria was located near latitude 12.3 North, longitude 52.6 West.
The storm is moving toward the west near 20 mph. A slower west-northwest motion is expected during the next couple of days.
On the forecast track, Maria is expected to approach the Leeward Islands on Monday.
The government of Antigua has issued a Hurricane Watch for Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis and Montserrat.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 50 mph with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is expected during the
next 48 hours, and Maria is forecast to be a hurricane when it approaches the Leeward Islands early next week.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center and the estimated minimum central pressure is 1002 mb (29.59 inches).
STAY TUNED TO SPACE COAST DAILY FOR HURRICANE UPDATES
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