Tropical Storm Dorian expected to make landfall as a hurricane

The strength, track, and intensity are still uncertain for Tropical Storm Dorian but it’s becoming more clear, however most of Southwest Florida is still within Dorian’s forecast cone as of now.

Dorian is expected to make landfall on Sunday evening as a hurricane. Until then, Dorian will have to battle wind shear and dry air, as the storm continues to move west-northwest. Additionally, if Dorian’s center moves over the mountainous terrain of the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, the high elevation will work to rip the storm apart and displace the showers and thunderstorms that make it up. If it stays just a little farther east, there’s a better chance of Dorian maintaining current intensity, if not strengthening.

WINK News Weather Authority continues monitoring the storm as it goes into the Caribbean and will have a better idea if Southwest Florida will be affected by midweek.

https://twitter.com/ScottZWINK/status/1166547114341675008

As of 11 p.m. Tropical Storm Dorian maintains 50 mph max sustained winds as it moved NW at 13 mph.

Dorian is about 275 miles SE of Ponce Puerto Rico. It may be hurricane strength when it is projected to pass over or near western and central areas of Puerto Rico on Wednesday. Then it is likely to “re-strengthen” on Thursday and Friday.

Heavy rains and gust winds are now subsiding over the southern Leeward Islands.

11:00 PM Tue Aug 27
Location: 16.0°N 63.0°W
Moving: NW at 13 mph
Min pressure: 1006 mb
Max sustained: 50 mph

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:
* Puerto Rico

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
* Puerto Rico
* Vieques
* Culebra
* U.S. Virgin Islands
* British Virgin Islands
* Dominican Republic from Isla Saona to Samana

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:
* Dominican Republic from Isla Saona to Punta Palenque
* Dominican Republic from Samana to Puerto Plata

ELSEWHERE IN THE ATLANTIC

In other tropics news, Tropical Storm Erin has formed off the Atlantic coast. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour and is projected to turn north and make landfall in Nova Scotia

HURRICANE GUIDE