Aug. 6, 2005 –– With Tropical Depression 9 already at a latitude north of St. Croix's 17.7 degrees north, the territory appears off the hook when it comes to storms for the very near future.
"It looks like it will recurve to the northwest and stay out of our way," Brad Diehl, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in San Juan said Saturday.
However, he warned residents to keep their weather eye on the alert because "strange things happen."
Diehl said an upper level trough is influencing Tropical Depression 9, which could alter its track.
As of the 11 a.m. update, Tropical Depression 9 centered at 17.9 degrees north latitude and 42.3 degrees west longitude. This puts it 1,365 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands.
The storm has winds of 35 mph with gusts to 45 mph.
It is moving to the west-northwest at 11 mph.
The barometric pressure stands at 1008 millibars or 29.76 inches.
While the territory may see only an occasional shower over the weekend, Diehl said showers associated with Tropical Depression 9 could be a factor on Wednesday and Thursday.
With the peak of hurricane season still more than a month away in mid-September, Diehl warned residents to stay on the alert. He said waves are coming off the African coast every three to five days, but only a few develop into tropical depressions and subsequently tropical storms and hurricanes.
While one of Diehl's colleagues on Friday said the territory should expect a wave to arrive around Aug. 14, Diehl hedged by saying it was too soon to tell if it would come this way.
"In the early stages you have to monitor the progress," he said.
Coordinates for St. Thomas are 18.3 degrees north latitude and 65 degrees west longitude. St. Croix sits at 17.7 degrees north latitude and 64.8 degrees west longitude. St. John is at 18.2 degrees north latitude and 65 degrees west longitude.
Back Talk
Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
