After Virgin Islanders enjoyed a few days of relief from the threat of Hurricane Floyd, Depression No. 9 has developed into Tropical Storm Gert. On Monday morning the developing system was centered at about 15.3 degrees north and 38.1 degrees west with estimated wind speeds of 60 knots.
The discussion released by the National Hurricane Center reveals that predictions are split along two different paths for the future of Gert.
One set of predictions has Gert following a gentle curve to the north, leaving the Virgin Islands a safe distance to the south of its path. However another set of predictive programs has Gert staying further south which would have the storm passing dangerously close to the Virgin Islands.
All predictions have the storm gaining strength and becoming a major hurricane over the next few days.
Editor's note: St. Thomas Source will follow Gert as predictions are updated. For the latest information, click on the rainbow on the upper left corner of the page.
