Hurricane Weakens, TS Earl Strengthens
As Hurricane Danielle weakened to a Category Two storm, Tropical Storm Earl has strengthened and appears set to gain hurricane status, forecasters said.
At 11:00am today [Aug 28] Bermuda time Hurricane Danilele was 330 miles south-southeast of Bermuda, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center [NHC] said. The NHC also said that “little change in strength is forecast during the next 24 hours, and gradual weakening is expected to begin on Sunday night.” Latest forecasts [noon today] from the Bermuda Weather Service show Danielle passing some 240 nautical miles off the Island, with its closest approach around 6.00 pm today.
The Bermuda Weather Service issued a Small Craft Warning valid through Monday, as well as a Tropical Storm Watch. As of now, numerous airline flights scheduled for today are operational, with the LF Wade Airport reporting that Continental, United and US Airways have landed, and that Westjet, Delta and Jetblue are in-air.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Earl was packing sustained winds of 60 miles [95 kilometers] per hour, the NHC said, warning Earl could become a hurricane by Saturday night or Sunday. A tropical storm watch was already in effect for Saint Martin, Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Anguilla and several other eastern Caribbean islands in addition to Bermuda.
The Government released another statement today, saying that “in the interest of public safety, the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) reiterated it’s advisory to residents and visitors to avoid maritime recreational activities until Hurricane Danielle has passed the Island.”
They continue on to say that “According to the Parks Department, higher than usual surf conditions are occurring along the South Shore beaches and as a result warning signs advising of dangerous wave conditions have been posted at the South Shore beaches. And the EMO is reminding residents to avoid participating in activities such as boating and swimming until the weather system has passed, pointing out that over the next few hours, despite the sunny conditions, surf, swell and waves, may pose a hazard to beach goers and mariners. Currently Park Department lifeguards are on duty at Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve, Turtle Beach, Clearwater Beach, John Smith’s Bay and Horseshoe Bay and will continue their watch on surf conditions along Bermuda’s beaches.”
