A Tropical STORM-WATCH remains in effect for ST.VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES (SVG)
At 11 pm, the center of Hurricane Maria was near 14.2°N 58.4°W or about 155 miles (250 km) to the north-east of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; moving west-northwestward near 13 mph (20 km/h)., and this motion with a decrease in forward speed is expected through Tuesday night.The center is expected to pass northeast of our islands on Monday, bringing Maria north of SVG by Monday night. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 85mph (140km/h) with higher gusts. Minimum central pressure was 979mb or 28.91inches. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles (30 km) from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 km). Rapid strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Maria is expected to become a major hurricane as it moves through the Leeward Islands. Occasionally, feeder bands from Hurricane Maria with pockets of moderate to heavy showers, periods of rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds will cross SVG. Rainfall accumulations of 4 - 8 inches (100 - 200 mm) from Monday through Wednesday are possible, with higher amounts in mountainous areas. Northerly fresh to strong breeze 20 – 30 mph (32 - 50km/h) with higher gusts, should become westerly by Monday. Then as Maria pulls away from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Tuesday, southerly flow becomes south-easterly on Wednesday. Seas across SVG are now expected to peak between 4 - 6 meters (13-20 ft) by Monday, especially on northern coasts of mainland , with life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. As Hurricane Maria is projected to be a major hurricane in the Caribbean Sea, northerly and westerly swells are expected across St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Tuesday and Wednesday... The high- surf advisory and small craft warning may be extended beyond 12noon Tuesday. Sea bathers and other users of the sea should stay out of the water.
Persons near rivers, streams and coastline areas prone to flooding and land slippage, should take precautions.
The Saint Vincent Meteorological Services continue to monitor Hurricane MARIA; next update at 6am tomorrow.
Prepared by Joan McDonald