BWS: Hurricane Is “Potential Threat To Bermuda”
Hurricane Fiona is a “potential threat to Bermuda”, the Bermuda Weather Service said, with its closest point of approach to Bermuda within 72 hours forecast to be 377 nm to the SW at 6am on Thursday [Sept 22] with the BWS noting “this system may move closer to Bermuda after this time period depending upon its track.”
The BWS discussion noted that the models suggest that Fiona could bring “storm force winds and hurricane force gusts during the late night on Thursday into early Friday morning” and said that a “hurricane watch may be issued from as early as Tuesday.”
The latest forecast from the U.S. National Hurricane Center said, “At 500 AM AST [0900 UTC], the center of Hurricane Fiona was located near latitude 18.5 North, longitude 68.6 West. Fiona is moving toward the northwest near 8 mph [13 km/h]. This general motion is expected to continue through tonight, followed by a turn toward the north-northwest on Tuesday and the north on Wednesday.
“On the forecast track, the center of Fiona will move over the eastern portion of the Dominican Republic this morning and emerge over the southwestern Atlantic this afternoon. The center is forecast to pass near or to the east of the Turks and Caicos on Tuesday.”
Graphic courtesy of the NHC:
“Maximum sustained winds are near 90 mph [150 km/h] with higher gusts. Some strengthening is expected during the next few days after the hurricane emerges over the southwestern Atlantic, and Fiona is forecast to become a major hurricane by Wednesday.
“Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles [45 km] from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles [240 km]. The Punta Cana International Airport recently reported a sustained wind of 58 mph [93 km/h] and a gust of 78 mph [126 km/h].”
The Ministry of National Security has already encouraged the public to “ensure they are storm ready” noting that it is “anticipated that Hurricane Fiona could have an impact on Bermuda later this week.”
Hurricane burt a threat too
More pain on the economy. As if TAF is not enough to drive visitors away, along comes a hurricane. The PLP is so short sighted to diss the cruise ship cancellations when they should be doing everything possible to get any visitors.
Contrast this stupidity to Jamaica who has just announced they expect over 3 million visitors this year. more than in 2019. How many are expected here? Close down the useless and silent BTA to save money as a starter.
Gee, I don’t know, maybe Bermuda shouldn’t have spent so much time and money telling the world that they’re not welcome…in Bermuda.