Having just been named, Tropical Storm Erika is heading toward The Leeward Islands, which include Anguilla, St. Kitts, Nevis, Antigua and Montserrat. The National Hurricane Center and Weather Underground both report that the storm’s track is uncertain while the intensity of the storm remains uncertain.
Hurricane Hunters found several apparent centers within the storm, Jeff Masters said in his Weather Underground blog Sept. 2. Masters said a complicated wind shear pattern is occurring in Erika’s current location, making the storm disorganized.
“Virtually anything can happen over the next five days, from dissipation . . . to intensification to a Category 3 hurricane,” he said.
The National Hurricane Center also notes the uncertainty with the storm’s intensity but currently forecasts its path as passing near the U.S. Virgin Islands Thursday night and just northeast of Puerto Rico by Friday. Maximum sustained winds decreased, it said, to near 40 mph.
Increased shower and thunderstorm activity is expected across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Thursday and Friday with the potential for flash flooding.
