As of the 2pm interim bulletin on Thursday, the center of Tropical Storm Fiona was located near latitude 16.5 degrees north, longitude 54.8 degrees west.
Fiona is moving west near 14 miles per hour (mph) (22 km/h). A westerly movement with a decrease in forward speed is expected by late Saturday, with a possible turn to the west-northwest on Sunday. On the forecast track, Fiona’s center is expected to pass the Leeward Islands late Friday and early Saturday and move near the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico late Saturday into Sunday. A Hurricane Hunter aircraft takes off to investigate Tropical Storm Fiona.
Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts. Slow strengthening is possible over the next few days. Tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km) mostly north of the center. The minimum rated central pressure is 1002 mb (29.59 inches).
Tropical storm conditions are expected in parts of the northern Leeward Islands within the warning area beginning Friday afternoon. Tropical storm conditions are possible across parts of the northern Leeward Islands within the watch area through Friday evening.
Fiona is expected to produce the following rainfall totals:
Northern Leeward Islands, British Virgin Islands and US and Puerto Rico: 4 to 6 inches with isolated maximum totals of 10 inches across eastern Puerto Rico.
East Hispaniola: 4 to 8 inches with isolated maximum totals of 12 inches.
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These rains can cause flash and urban flooding, along with isolated mudslides in areas of greater terrain.
Winds generated by Fiona are expected to begin affecting the Leeward Islands later today, spreading west to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Friday and Saturday. These swells can cause life-threatening surf conditions and rip currents.
