Weather Update: NEMO advises Tropical Storm Fiona is expected to cause sea swells

Weather updates: Ahead of Tropical Storm Fiona, moist and unstable conditions will continue to cause cloudiness, showers as well as thunderstorms over the northern portion of the Lesser Antilles during the forecast period.

Fiona is moving toward the west direction near 14 mph, which is around 22 km/h, and this general motion with a lowering in forwarding speed is expected to continue through early Sunday. On this forecast track, the centre of TS Fiona is forecast to move across the Leeward Islands tonight and early Saturday and move near the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico late Saturday into Sunday. Maximum sustained winds have lowered to around 50 mph or 85 km/h, with higher gusts. During the next few days, some slight strengthening is forecast.

A Tropical Storm watch is in effect for Dominica and the British Virgin Islands, and Tropical Storm warnings are in effect for the Leeward Islands, according to the weather departments.

Two tropical waves located over the central and far eastern Tropical Atlantic are moving westward near 17 mph or 28 km/h.

The National Emergency Management Organization has advised that Tropical Storm Fiona is expected to cause sea swells which could affect shorelines throughout Saint Lucia over the next 24 hours. Fishers, seafarers and small boat operators should exercise extreme caution when venturing out.

NEMO also strongly recommends that the public avoid sea bathing activities for the next 24 hours and urges residents and businesses situated near the coastline to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions to protect their properties.