Tropical Storm Philippe Poses Overnight Flash Flood Threat in Leeward Islands, Warn Forecasters
Tropical Storm Philippe Poses Threat of Heavy Rains and Flash Flooding in Leeward Islands, Potential Hurricane Development in Central Atlantic
MIAMI – The Leeward Islands are bracing themselves as Tropical Storm Philippe threatens to unleash torrential overnight downpours and flash flooding, with the possibility of intensifying into a hurricane as it moves towards the central Atlantic later in the week, according to meteorologists.
As of 11 p.m. Sunday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center based in Miami reported that Philippe was located approximately 155 miles (245 kilometers) east of Guadeloupe, or about 190 miles (310 kilometers) east-southeast of Barbuda. With maximum sustained winds reaching 50 mph (85 kph), Philippe was gradually inching its way west-northwest at a sluggish pace of 5 mph (7 kph).
A tropical storm watch has been issued for Antigua and Barbuda. The hurricane center emphasized the importance of closely monitoring the storm’s trajectory for those residing in the northern Leeward Islands, as it is projected that the center of Philippe will pass near or just northeast of the region on Monday and Monday night.
The advisory further highlighted the potential for Philippe to bring heavy rainfall, which could lead to isolated to scattered flash flooding across Barbuda and Antigua until Tuesday.
While the current forecast indicates that the presence of strong wind shear is expected to impede Philippe’s strengthening in the coming days, meteorologists affirmed that the ever-changing atmospheric conditions may allow the storm to intensify into a hurricane later in the week as it veers into the central subtropical Atlantic.
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