Tropical Storm Karen Forecast to Bring Heavy Rain to Puerto Rico
Gusty Winds and Flooding Rains Still Affecting Portions of the Southern Windward Islands...
At 05:00 pm, the center of Tropical Storm Karen was located near latitude 12.9 north, longitude 62.7 west or about 355 miles south of St. Maarten.
Karen continues to move toward the west-northwest near 13 mph (20 km/h).
A turn toward the northwest is forecast to occur later tonight or tomorrow. Afterward, followed by a turn toward the north on Tuesday.
On the forecast track, the center of Karen will continue to move away from the Windward
Islands this evening, and then across the eastern Caribbean Sea tonight and Monday.
The center of Karen is forecast to pass about 175 miles west-southwest of St. Maarten on
Tuesday afternoon.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 km) from the center. The latest estimated minimum central pressure reported is 1007 mb (29.74 inches).
At a Glance
• Tropical Storm Karen is centered near the Windward Islands in the eastern Caribbean.
• Tropical storm warnings and watches are in effect.
• Karen will bring heavy rain to the Windward Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands this week.
• It's too early to know if Karen will impact the mainland United States or any other land areas.
Tropical Storm Karen is moving through the eastern Caribbean Sea, where it will bring heavy rain and gusty winds during the first half of this week, including to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Karen is centered about 60 miles north of Grenada in the Windward Islands and is moving west-northwestward at 10 to 15 mph.
Current Storm Status
(The highest cloud tops, corresponding to the most vigorous convection, are shown in the brightest red colors. Clustering, deep convection around the center is a sign of a healthy tropical cyclone.)
Tropical storm warnings have been posted for Grenada and its dependencies and for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. That means tropical-storm-force winds (39-plus mph) are ongoing or are expected soon.
A tropical storm watch is also in effect for Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra and the British and U.S. Virgin Islands. Tropical-storm-force winds are possible in these areas within the next 48 hours.
Watches and Warnings
(A watch is issued when a tropical storm or hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours. A warning is issued when those conditions are expected within 36 hours.)
Karen has already caused street flooding and knocked out power in portions of Tobago, which is located in the southern Windward Islands.
Rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches (locally, up to 8 inches) are forecast in the Windward Islands early this week, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Karen is likely to make a turn to the northwest and then north the next few days in the general direction of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. No significant intensification is forecast through midweek because winds in the upper atmosphere are unfavorable.
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands could be impacted by heavy rain and gusty winds from Karen Tuesday into Wednesday. Tropical storm conditions are possible there by Tuesday.
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are forecast to receive 2 to 4 inches (locally, up to 6 inches) of rain through Wednesday.
The rainfall could trigger flash flooding and mudslides in parts of those islands, particularly in mountainous terrain.
By late this week, Karen will be located east of the Bahamas, where it will slow down and possibly turn westward. Upper-level winds may also become more favorable for intensification.
It's too early to determine whether Karen will eventually affect the mainland United States or the Bahamas.
Tropical Storm Karen Forecast to Bring Heavy Rain to Puerto Rico
