Tropical Storm Karen Advisory #2

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING now in effect for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

At 8:00 a.m on Sunday, 22nd September, 2019, T.S Karen was located near 11.9N 60.9W, less than 100 miles south-east of our Grenadine islands; with Maximum Sustained Winds…40 Mph…65 Km/h, with higher gusts and Present Movement…WNW or 285 Degrees At 9 Mph…15 km/h Minimum Central Pressure…1005 mb…29.68 inches.

On the forecast track, Tropical Storm Karen will move across our Grenadine Islands during the afternoon and into tonight, with mainland St.Vincent on the northern side of the storm center.

Karen is expected to emerge over the southeastern Caribbean Sea tonight. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles (205 km) from the center.

Tropical storm conditions are expected to reach within the warning area later this morning and continue this afternoon outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

Brisk surface winds of 25 to 30 kt (45 to 55km/h) with gusts to storm force and pockets of moderate to heavy showers are anticipated with rainfall accumulations of 1 00 to 150mm (4 to 6 inches) and isolated higher amounts possible as ‘Karen’ tracks west-northwestwards into the Caribbean Sea.

The Flash-Flood Watch remains in effect. Persons living in areas prone to flooding, land-slippage or lands-slides, should be prepared as such rains may cause flash flooding and land-slides, especially in mountainous areas.

Deteriorating sea-conditions are also expected with southeasterly swells of 3.0 to 4.0m (10 to 13ft) and possibly 4.5 (~15ft). Th e High-Surf Advisory and Small-Craft Warning also remains in effect…A High-Surf Advisory is issued when breaking wave action poses a threat to life and property within the surf zone.

A Small-Craft Warning means in this case, that wind-speeds of 25 to 30 kt (45 to 55km/h) and or seas greater than 3m (10ft) will be affecting the marine area.

The St.Vincent and the Grenadines Meteorological Service will now operate from Emergency Operating Center at National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO).

The next Advisory will be at 12 noon today, Sunday, 22nd September 2019.

Prepared by Joan Mc Donald