At 1100 AM, the eye of Hurricane Jose was located near latitude 16.3 North, longitude 57.1 West. Jose is moving toward the west-northwest near 18 mph. A gradual turn toward the northwest with a decrease in forward speed is expected during the next 48 hours. On the forecast track, the center of Jose will pass near or east of the northeastern Leeward Islands on Saturday.
Recent data from an Air Force Hurricane Hunter plane indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 150 mph with higher gusts. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles.
The minimum central pressure indicated by data from the aircraft is 942 mb (27.82 inches).
Jose will make its closest approach to the Leeward Islands on Saturday.
Jose is a smaller and more compact storm compared to Irma. Therefore, the destructive winds will likely be limited to very near the center.
Our current forecast track has the center tracking about 70-80 miles to the northeast of the Leeward Islands. This would be close enough to produce periods of moderate to heavy rain and tropical storm force winds over the Leeward Islands. Considering the damage already inflicted by Irma, it will not take very high winds to cause additional damage to structures already hit hard by Irma.
The British Virgin Islands remains under a Tropical Storm Watch. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
Please continue to monitor local media stations, DDM’s website (bviddm.com) and Facebook at BVIDDM for regular updates.
Disclaimer: The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) is not an official Meteorological Office. The Information disseminated by the Department is gathered from a number of professional sources used or contracted by the DDM to provide such information. This information is to be used as a guide by anyone who has interest in local weather conditions. By no means can the DDM or the BVI Government be held accountable by anyone who uses this information appropriately for legal evidence or in justification of any decision which may result in the loss of finances, property or life.
