Tropical Storm Fiona Advances Closer to Antigua and Barbuda

WHCA31 TAPA | TROPICAL STORM FIONA WARNING STATEMENT

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES | 6:20 PM ECT THU 15 SEP 2022

…Tropical storm Fiona continues to approach the area…

A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Antigua and Barbuda. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Fiona is forecast to impact the islands Friday evening as a strong tropical storm. Therefore, it poses a medium threat with the potential to cause significant Impacts from strong storm-force winds, high seas and moderate flooding, resulting in life-threatening conditions and disruptions to daily life.

To be safe, implement your Hurricane disaster plan.

At 5 pm ECT or 2100 UTC, the centre of Tropical Storm Fiona was located near latitude 16.3 North, longitude 55.4 west or about 420 miles east of Antigua and about 432 miles East-Southeast of Barbuda. The storm is moving toward the west at 14 mph.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 60 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next few days.

On its forecast track, the storm-force winds are most likely to start Friday evening but could start as early as Friday late morning. Once storm-force winds start, they should not last for more than 8 hours.

There is a reasonable worst-case of Fiona impacting the Islands as a strong tropical storm with winds of 60 to 73 mph with hurricane-force gusts, For which preparations should be made.

On the other hand, at the reasonable best case, the moderate wind shear weakens or prevents further strengthening of the system.

Potential impacts from the system include the closure of the country, weakly constructed houses suffering blown roofs or house collapse, localized loss of communication and electricity supply due to damaged power lines, loss of crops and livestock and financial and economic losses.

A marine warning has been issued and a flood watch will be issued this evening for Friday/Saturday.

Residents are urged to monitor Tropical Storm Fiona closely, check their disaster supply kit and implement their hurricane disaster plans in preparation for hazardous weather.

The next advisory will be at around 12 am ect 0400 utc tonight.

Forecaster

Dale Destin/Letitia Humphreys