BULLETIN
Tropical Storm Laura Intermediate Advisory Number 7A
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL AL132020
200 PM AST Fri Aug 21 2020
…LAURA EXPECTED TO BRING TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS TO PORTIONS OF
THE LEEWARD ISLANDS…
SUMMARY OF 200 PM AST…1800 UTC…INFORMATION
———————————————-
LOCATION…17.0N 60.8W
ABOUT 175 MI…280 KM ESE OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…45 MPH…75 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…W OR 270 DEGREES AT 18 MPH…30 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…1007 MB…29.74 INCHES
WATCHES AND WARNINGS
——————–
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY:
The government of the Dominican Republic has issued a Tropical
Storm Warning for the northern coast of the Dominican Republic from
Cabo Engano to the border with Haiti.
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* Puerto Rico, Vieques and Culebra
* U.S. Virgin Islands
* British Virgin Islands
* Saba and St. Eustatius
* St. Maarten
* St. Martin and St. Barthelemy
* Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla, and Montserrat
* The northern coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Engano to
the border with Haiti
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…
* The northern coast of Haiti from Le Mole St. Nicholas to the
border with the Dominican Republic
* The southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are
expected somewhere within the warning area.
A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are
possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
Interests in Cuba and the remainder of the Bahamas should monitor
the progress of Laura.
For storm information specific to your area in the United
States, including possible inland watches and warnings, please
monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service
forecast office. For storm information specific to your area
outside of the United States, please monitor products issued by
your national meteorological service.
DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK
———————-
At 200 PM AST (1800 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Laura was
located near latitude 17.0 North, longitude 60.8 West. Laura is
moving toward the west near 18 mph (30 km/h), and a generally
west-northwestward motion at a faster forward speed is expected over
the next couple of days. On the forecast track, the center of Laura
will move near or over portions of the Leeward Islands later today,
near or over Puerto Rico Saturday morning, and near the northern
coast of Hispaniola late Saturday and early Sunday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher
gusts. Some slow strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles (240 km)
from the center.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1007 mb (29.74 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
———————-
RAINFALL: Laura is expected to produce 3 to 6 inches of rain over
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic, and the
southern Haitian Peninsula through Sunday. Maximum amounts up to 8
inches are possible along eastern portions and the southern slopes
of Puerto Rico, as well as over Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
This heavy rainfall could lead to flash and urban flooding, as well
as an increased potential for mudslides with minor river flooding in
Puerto Rico.
1 to 3 inches of rain with isolated maximum totals of 5 inches are
expected over the remainder of Haiti, the northern Leeward Islands,
the Turks and Caicos and southeast Bahamas.
WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected within portions of
the warning area area later today through Saturday. Tropical storm
conditions are possible within portions of the watch area Saturday
night and early Sunday.
