ORLANDO, Fla. – Tropical Storm Bret is packing stronger winds as it closes in on the Lesser Antilles, according to the latest report by the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters.
The National Hurricane Center said Bret is moving west at 16 mph with maximum sustained winds near 65 mph with higher gusts.
As of the NHC’s 8 p.m. update, Bret is 285 miles east of Barbados. Hurricane hunters investigated the storm on Wednesday.
The center of Bret is expected to approach the Lesser Antilles on Thursday, move across the Lesser Antilles late Thursday and Thursday night, and then move westward across the eastern and central Caribbean Sea on Friday and Saturday.
Weakening is expected by Friday once Bret moves over the Caribbean Sea, and the system is likely to dissipate on Saturday.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for St. Lucia and Martinique. A tropical storm watch is in effect for:
- Barbados
- Dominica
Bret has grown a little larger, with tropical storm force winds extending outward up to 105 miles from the center.
A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours while a tropical storm watch means tropical storm conditions are possible within a 48-hour period.
The NHC said through Saturday, 3 to 6 inches of rain with a maximum of 10 inches are possible across parts of the Lesser Antilles from Guadeloupe south to Grenada, including Barbados.
The NHC is monitoring another tropical wave located about midway between the west coast of Africa and the Lesser Antilles.
As of 8 p.m. update, the disturbance has an elongated surface circulation with maximum sustained winds of about 30 mph. Showers and thunderstorms associated with the storm continue to show signs of organization and environmental conditions appear favorable for development.
A tropical depression will likely form during the next day or so as it moves across the central tropical Atlantic.
This area has a 80% chance of development through the next 48 hours and 90% chance of development in the next seven days.
Hurricane season runs through Nov. 30.
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