UPDATE: Potential tropical cyclone heads towards southern Windward Islands

A potential tropical cyclone continues to move rapidly towards the southern Windward Islands today.

Tropical storm warnings are in effect across Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, and the east coast of Venezuela.

Bonaire and Arubda have been placed under troical storm watches.

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

St Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados has discontinued the tropical storm warning for these islands.

At 11am today the disturbance was centred near latitude 8.8 north, longitude 56.8 west or about 325 miles (525km) east-southeast of Trinidad.

The system is moving rapidly toward the west at around 25 mph (41 kmph) and the disturbance is expected to move through the southern Windward Islands overnight and into Tuesday.

Force winds ‘extend 70 miles’

Maximum sustained winds are near 40mph (65kmph) with higher gusts.

The disturbance is expected to be a tropical storm when it moves through the Windward Islands and eastern Venezuela tonight and Tuesday.

Shower and thunderstorm activity associated with the disturbance continues to show signs of organisation and additional development is likely during the next couple of days.

Tropical storm force winds now extend outward up to 70 miles (110km) from the centre.

“Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the warning areas overnight tonight, making outside preparations difficult or dangerous,” the Dominica Meteorological Service said.

Total rainfall on Tuesday is expected to be between two and four inches over the Windward Islands.

Despite the fact that no watches or warnings has been issued for Dominica, residents are advised to monitor the progress of this system and to remain vigilant as a feeder band from the system could move across the island, the wether service added.

This could result in increased in rainfall, possible thunderstorms and gusty winds by tomorrow.

A flood watch or warning may be issued for Dominica.

A small craft warning is already in effect for Dominica as of 6pm yesterday to 6pm on tomorrow due to above normal seas and high winds.