Issued at 200 PM AST Fri Sep 16 2022
000 WTNT32 KNHC 161750 TCPAT2 BULLETIN Tropical Storm Fiona Intermediate Advisory Number 9A NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL072022 200 PM AST Fri Sep 16 2022 ...FIONA'S CENTER APPROACHING GUADELOUPE... ...TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN PORTIONS OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS DURING THE NEXT FEW HOURS... SUMMARY OF 200 PM AST...1800 UTC...INFORMATION ---------------------------------------------- LOCATION...16.2N 60.3W ABOUT 75 MI...120 KM E OF GUADELOUPE MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...50 MPH...85 KM/H PRESENT MOVEMENT...W OR 275 DEGREES AT 14 MPH...22 KM/H MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1005 MB...29.68 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS -------------------- CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: The government of Antigua and Barbuda has upgraded the Tropical Storm Watch for the British Virgin Islands to a Tropical Storm Warning. The government of the Dominican Republic has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the south coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Engano westward to Barahona, and for the north coast from Cabo Engano westward to Cabo Frances Viejo. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for... * Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, and Anguilla * Saba and St. Eustatius * St. Maarten * Guadeloupe, St. Barthelemy, and St. Martin * Puerto Rico, including Vieques and Culebra * U.S. Virgin Islands * British Virgin Islands A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for... * Dominica * South coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Engano westward to Barahona * North coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Engano westward to Cabo Frances Viejo 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 possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours. Interests elsewhere in Hispaniola should monitor the progress of this system. Additional watches or warnings could be required tonight or on Saturday. For storm information specific to your area in the United States, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office. For storm information specific to your area outside of the United States, please monitor products issued by your national meteorological service. DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK ---------------------- At 200 PM AST (1800 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Fiona was located near latitude 16.2 North, longitude 60.3 West. Fiona is moving toward the west near 14 mph (22 km/h). A westward motion with a decrease in forward speed is expected through early Sunday, followed by a turn toward the west-northwest and northwest Sunday and Sunday night. On the forecast track, the center of Fiona is expected to move across the Leeward Islands tonight, near or just south of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Saturday into Sunday, and approach the southern coast of the Dominican Republic Sunday night and early Monday. Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is forecast during the next few days. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km) from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 mb (29.68 inches). HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND ---------------------- Key messages for Tropical Storm Fiona can be found in the Tropical Cyclone Discussion under AWIPS header MIATCDAT2 and WMO header WTNT42 KNHC and on the web at hurricanes.gov/text/MIATCDAT2.shtml. WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected across portions of the Leeward Islands within the warning area beginning this afternoon and continuing through Saturday. Tropical storm conditions will spread westward to the U.S. and British Virgin Islands on Saturday, and across Puerto Rico late Saturday and Saturday night. Tropical storm conditions are possible on Dominica this evening or tonight and across the watch area in the Dominican Republic beginning late Sunday. RAINFALL: Fiona is forecast to produce the following rainfall totals: Leeward Islands and Northern Windward Islands: 3 to 6 inches. British and U.S. Virgin Islands: 4 to 6 inches Puerto Rico: 4 to 8 inches with maximum totals of 12 inches, particularly across eastern and southern Puerto Rico. Eastern Dominican Republic: 6 to 10 inches with maximum totals of 16 inches possible Turks and Caicos: 4 to 8 inches These rains may produce flash and urban flooding, along with mudslides in areas of higher terrain, particularly southern and eastern Puerto Rico and the eastern Dominican Republic. STORM SURGE: Localized coastal flooding will be possible along the coasts of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico in areas of onshore winds Saturday into Sunday. SURF: Swells generated by Fiona are affecting the Leeward and northern Windward Islands, and are expected to spread westward to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico today. Swells will then reach the northern coast of Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the southeastern Bahamas over the weekend. These conditions could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office. NEXT ADVISORY ------------- Next complete advisory at 500 PM AST. $$ Forecaster Berg