Published 9 September 2017
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
Major Hurricane Jose Is Approaching the Northern Leeward Islands
Jose is a Category 4 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph, in the central Atlantic Ocean – the third major hurricane of the 2017 season will threaten portions of the Leeward Islands this weekend, just days after Hurricane Irma ransacked parts of the region.
Jose is currently located about 160 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands and is moving west-northwest at 13 mph.
Article image content | The Weather Channel
Some fluctuations in intensity are possible over the next day or so, according to the National Hurricane Center, but the general trend is for slow weakening.
Beginning this weekend, an increase in wind shear and drier air should result in some gradual weakening.
Article image content | The Weather Channel
Jose is expected to slow down and turn northwest this weekend. Jose will be near the Leeward Islands, including the Irma-battered islands of Barbuda and St. Martin, on Saturday.
Strong winds, high surf and periods of rain are expected in some of the northeastern Leeward Islands.
A hurricane warning is in effect for Sint Maarten, St. Martin and St. Barthelemy. A tropical storm warning is also in effect for Barbuda, Anguilla, Saba and St. Eustatius.
Tropical storm watches are in effect for Antigua, the British Virgin Islands, St. Thomas and St. John.
All residents of the Leeward Islands, including areas hard hit by Irma, should be prepared for Jose’s potential impacts.
Many of these islands took the full brunt of Category 5 Hurricane Irma on Wednesday, with winds gusting over 155 mph.
Hurricane conditions are expected within the hurricane warning area on Saturday.
Heavy rainfall is also likely with 3 to 5 inches of rain expected, with isolated maximum amounts of 8 inches possible. This heavy rainfall will add to ongoing flooding and potentially cause additional life-threatening flooding.
Up to 3 inches of rain is expected in the Virgin Islands and on Dominica as Jose passes by.
A storm surge of 1 to 3 feet above normal tide levels is possible along the immediate coast in the hurricane warning area.
Check back with weather.com for updates in the days ahead for the latest details on Jose.
