The northern Lesser Antilles experienced strong winds and turbulent seas ahead of the storm’s core passage.
Category 1 Hurricane Tammy gained strength on Friday as it approached the islands comprising the eastern Caribbean
Unsettled weather is predicted to persist throughout the weekend as this late-season hurricane traverses the region. Following Category 1 Hurricane Tammy‘s passage, attention will shift to a neighboring area in the Caribbean, currently under surveillance for potential development. The hurricane’s path includes Martinique and Guadeloupe. With sustained winds of approximately 80 mph and intermittent intensification projected over the next 24 hours, the National Hurricane Center issued Hurricane Warnings for Guadeloupe, Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, and St. Kitts and Nevis.
Category 1 Hurricane Tammy’s west-northwest movement, anticipated to transition northward soon, is slated to traverse the Leeward Islands on Saturday, bringing heavy rainfall across the area. Some islands may receive up to a foot of precipitation, with British and U.S. Virgin Islands and eastern Puerto Rico expecting 1-2 inches, potentially reaching 4 inches.
This rainfall may trigger flash floods, urban inundation, and isolated landslides in elevated terrains. A storm surge, elevating water levels 1-3 feet above standard tides, is anticipated along the path of Tropical Storm Category 1 Hurricane Tammy across the Leeward Islands.
Category 1 Hurricane Tammy is forecasted to veer northward due to a frontal boundary, steering clear of the Lower 48
The NHC is monitoring a zone in the southwestern Caribbean Sea, just north of Panama, for potential formation. Forecasters suggest a low-pressure area may emerge over the weekend, with gradual development possible before it reaches Central America by mid-next week.
Presently, the likelihood of development within the next week remains low. With less than 20% of the hurricane season remaining, the Atlantic hurricane activity is slightly above average. The season has witnessed 20 tropical storms, six of which escalated to hurricanes, with three achieving major status. On average, the Atlantic hurricane season, spanning from June 1 to Nov. 30, experiences 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes. After Category 1 Hurricane Tammy, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has just two names remaining on the 2023 Atlantic storm list, with a supplementary list on standby if needed.