In the latest update from the National Hurricane Center, meteorologists are urging caution for those in both the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico; it is possible Tropical Storm Philippe could hit there in the coming days. Even if it doesn’t hit as a hurricane or tropical storm, Philippe could bring very heavy rains and flood hazards to the region in the coming days.
According to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Philippe had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and a minimum central pressure of 998 mb or 29.47″; it was moving to the west-northwest at 5 mph.
“Interests in the northern Leeward Islands, the U.S and British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico should monitor the progress of this system,” the National Hurricane Center warns.
Little change in strength is forecast during the next day or two, with slow weakening forecast this weekend. There is low confidence in where the storm will eventually head; for now, the NHC forecast brings the system to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico sometime on Sunday or Monday.
Philippe is forecast to produce 2-4″ of rain across the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and northern and eastern Puerto Rico Saturday through Monday. Elsewhere across Puerto Rico, 1-2″ of rain is expected. “Heavy rainfall from Philippe may produce isolated urban and small stream flooding impacts,” said the NHC in their latest advisory.
