BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Tropical Storm Jose is expected to become a hurricane later today as it moves closer to the Lesser Antilles.
The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC), in its latest weather bulletin, said that the storm, located 1,225 miles east of the chain of islands had maximum sustained winds of 60 miles per hour (mph).
It said while there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, interests in the Leeward Islands should monitor the progress of Jose.
“Jose is moving toward the west near 13 mph. A slightly faster west to west-northwest motion is expected during the next two days. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 60 mph with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast, and Jose is expected to become a hurricane by tonight,” the NHC warned.
It said that tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the centre.
The passage of Jose is likely to follow that of Hurricane Irma, the Category 5 storm that is now making its way through the Leeward Islands with winds in excess of 185 mph.
Source: Jamaica Observer
