DATE ISSUED: Thursday, August 20, 2020 TIME: 8:30 AM (12:30 UTC)
… A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN…
At 8AM (1200 UTC), tropical depression #13 was located near latitude 15.4 North, longitude 50.9 West or about 830 miles east-southeast of St. Maarten. The depression is moving toward the west northwest near 21 mph (33km/h). This general motion is expected to continue for the next few days. On this forecast track, the center of system is forecast to move about 60 miles north of St. Maarten late Friday into Saturday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Some gradual strengthening is forecast and the depression is expected to become a storm later today.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1008 mb (29.774 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND:
RAINFALL: The tropical depression could produce about 1 to 3 inches of rainfall through Sunday over the local area. This rainfall could result in flooding in low-lying areas and rock falls. Some of this rainfall may be heavy at times and may be accompanied by thunderstorms.
WIND: Windy conditions are expected over the local area increasing to tropical storm force gusts by late Friday.
SEAS: Slightly rough seas can be expected by Saturday with swells up to 10 feet. A small craft warning will be later.
- Residents in areas prone to flooding or near the coast should finalize preparations to protect life and property.
- The general public should continue to monitor the updates from the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten.
The Meteorological Department of St. Maarten will continue to monitor the progress of this system and keep the public updated accordingly.
FORECASTER: Leblanc
Next Update will be at 11:30 am Thursday August 20, 2020.
A Special Weather Bulletin is issued for weather events that are unusual, cause general inconvenience or public concern (requiring the attention and action of emergency authorities) and cannot adequately be described in a regular weather forecast. A Small Craft Advisory announces that the sea will likely become rough today or is already occurring. Tropical Storm a cyclone with sustained winds between 34-63 knots (39-73 mph). A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the watch area within 48 hours.
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