BWS: Tropical Storm Watch Remains In Effect
[Updated] The ‘Tropical Storm Watch’ issued by the Bermuda Weather Service remains in effect today [May 21] with the BWS noting that they “continue to monitor this low for possible subtropical development.”
The BWS forecast says, “A non-tropical low pressure to the northeast is expected to drift towards the area today through early Saturday. We continue to monitor this low for possible subtropical development.
“Regardless of development, the low will maintain cloudier skies and bring strong winds from this morning, and periods of wet weather mainly from this afternoon through Saturday. A tropical storm watch remains in effect.”
The U.S based National Hurricane Centre [NHC] said, “Showers and thunderstorms associated with a non-tropical low pressure area centered about 450 miles east-northeast of Bermuda have become better organized during the past several hours. The low has not yet acquired subtropical storm characteristics.
“However, if current trends continue advisories could be initiated on the system later today or tonight as it moves westward to west-southwestward to the northeast of Bermuda.”
Update 12.15pm: The BWS said, “The US National Hurricane Center are not quite ready to initiate advisories on the system northeast of Bermuda, as it does not [yet] meet the thresholds for a subtropical or tropical storm to be classified.
“Given the uncertainty about this prediction, Bermuda remains under a Tropical Storm Watch, alerting mariners and the general public to the potential for northerly 35 knot winds and very rough seas, as the system drifts closer to the island today. Stay up to date by checking www.weather.bm.”
Update 6.19pm: The BWS said, “The disturbance to Bermuda’s northeast is now located approximately 230 nm away, and remains an unclassified low with 90% probability of formation into a tropical or subtropical storm in the next 48 hours.
“The forecast remains for the disturbance to continue its gradual progression southwest towards Bermuda, reaching a closest approach sometime in the next 24 hours – it is likely to stall over 100 nm away to the east. Thereafter, it will shift direction eastwards again, away from the island.
“Sustained tropical storm force [34+ knot] winds are unlikely at the moment, but still possible. Given the uncertainties inherent in this situation, BWS will maintain a Tropical Storm Watch until the system begins to move away from the island. Updates will continue to be forthcoming – please continue to check in at www.weather.bm for the latest forecasts of local conditions.”
