(Barbados Nation) A TROPICAL STORM Warning remains in effect for Barbados but will be discontinued by 11 a.m., says director of the Barbados Meteorological Services Hampden Lovell.
In an 8 a.m. intermediate advisory, he said Tropical Storm Bertha continues to move towards the Eastern Caribbean with no change in strength.
At the time of the advisory the centre of Bertha was located near 13.6°N 57.9°W or about 110 miles (175 km) to the east northeast of Barbados. Bertha is moving towards the west- northwest at 20 mph (31 km/h) and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours.
Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph (75km/h) with higher gusts. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1008 mb (29.77 inches). Tropical storm force winds extend outwards up to 45 miles (75km) from the centre. On its present track the centre of Bertha is forecasted to pass within 85 miles to the north of Barbados by this afternoon.
The deepest convection however remains concentrated in the north-eastern quadrant of the system. Moderate southerly to south easterly wind shear and weak upper level subsidence to the south of the centre continues to inhibit deep convection from developing on the southern side of the centre.
However some showers and thunderstorm activity could still occur from south easterly feeder bands, hence rainfall accumulations of one to three inches are possible during the late afternoon.
In the event that the convection within these feeder bands diminishes, then we could actually experience rainfall totals of less than one inch.
In addition, sea conditions will deteriorate and swells may reach as high as three metres (ten feet).
Residents should continue to monitor the progress of this system and take all necessary precautions.
