UPDATED: Flights cancelled as Tropical Storm Don heads towards Caribbean

Rain is starting to hit the Windward Islands as the effects of Tropical Storm Don are being felt in the eastern Caribbean.

Today has seen flights have been cancelled and storm alerts issued.

The storm formed east of the Windward Islands yesterday afternoon. It is moving westward and it is expected to reach the island chain by this evening, according to Miami’s National Hurricane Center (NHC).

In the latest advisory, maximum sustained winds are at 50mph (85kmph) and the storm is 375 miles (600km) east of Grenada.

This afternoon an advisory came form the NHC that stated a reconnaissance aircraft found Don to be weaker as it traveled west, but not further information has been added.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Granada and St Vincent and the Grenadines, while Bonaire is under a tropical storm watch.

Earlier tropical storm watches for Barbados and St Lucia have now been lifted.

“Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, and Curacao should monitor the progress of Don,” said the NHC.

There is currently a 30% chance of a cyclone forming within the next 48 hours.

Air travel

By Wednesday morning Barbados and the southern Windward Islands could see between three to six inches of rainfall.

Flash flooding is possible on some of the islands.

Due to the weather conditions, LIAT have cancelled 21 of their flights today (18 July).

“Passengers who have been affected will be allowed to rebook with [sic] the next two weeks with all the change fees waived,” the airline said in a statement.

“We strongly advise all passengers to contact LIAT’s call centre for rebooking.”

Caribbean Airlines has cancelled two flights between Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada, covering journeys for today and tomorrow.

Customers booked to travel during this will be allowed to change or cancel their plans subject to conditions.

The latest update from the Dominica Meteorological Office said: "This system is expected to generate an increase in cloudiness, showers, possible thunderstorm activity and gusty winds across the area today into tomorrow."