At 800 PM, the eye of Hurricane Jose was at located at 16.7 North 58.8 West or about 305 miles East South East of the northern Leeward Islands. Jose is moving toward the west-northwest near 16 mph. A turn toward the northwest with a decrease in forward speed is forecast to begin overnight and continue through the weekend. On the forecast track, the core of Jose will pass close to or just east of the northern Leeward Islands.
Maximum sustained winds are near 150 mph with higher gusts. Jose is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuation in intensity, up or down, could occur during the next day or so. Gradual weakening is expected after that.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles. The estimated minimum central pressure based on observations from the Air Force Hurricane Hunters is 938 mb.
The British Virgin Islands remains under a Tropical Storm Watch and gusty squalls are possible late Saturday and into Sunday. Though squalls could contain gusts up to tropical storm force, we are not expected to receive significant rain or destructive wind for the islands from Jose.
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.
