5:00 PM Thurs June 22 2023
…BRET VERY NEAR BARBADOS…
…HEAVY RAIN AND STRONG WINDS EXPECTED IN PORTIONS OF THE LESSER
ANTILLES THROUGH TONIGHT…
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Saint Lucia.
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within the next 24.
A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Saint Lucia.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area in this case within the next 24.
At 5:00 PM today, the center of Tropical Storm Bret was located near latitude 13.4 North, longitude 59.6 West or about 94 miles or 151 Kilometres east southeast of Saint Lucia. Bret is moving toward the west near 16 mph (26 km/h), and this general motion with an increase in forward speed is expected over the next few days. On the forecast track, the center of Bret is expected to move near Saint Lucia and across the central Lesser Antilles this evening and tonight, and then move westward across the eastern and central Caribbean Sea Friday and Saturday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph (100 km/h), with higher gusts. Gradual weakening is anticipated over the next couple of days, and the system is likely to dissipate over the central Caribbean Sea on Sunday.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km) from the center.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1002 mb (29.59 inches).
Repeating Bret’s position: 13.4 north Lat…long 59.6 west.
Rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches with maximum amounts of 10 inches are possible across portions of the Lesser Antilles from Guadeloupe southward to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, including Barbados. Heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding in flood prone areas.
Swells generated by Bret are expected to affect portions of the Lesser Antilles through Friday. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
All preparations to protect and safeguard lives and property should have been completed and persons should remain indoors during the passage of the system.
Next advisory at 8:00 pm local time.
Forecaster: Webster Gajadhar