Tropical Storm Tammy is less than 600 miles east of the Lesser Antilles. The cyclone is moving west and a gradual turn to the west-northwest is expected to happen over the next day.
At last report, maximum sustained winds were around 40 mph, with higher gusts. Some strengthening is anticipated during the next 48 hours, but the cyclone is expected to remain below hurricane status before impacting the Lesser Antilles.
Due to its close proximity to the islands of the Caribbean Sea, Tropical Storm watches have been issued for the Northern Antilles and Tropical Storm warnings could be issued shortly.
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Barbados, Dominica, Martinique and Guadeloupe.
The watches do not include Puerto Rico, where squally weather is expected this weekend.
A Tropical Storm Watch is issued when sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph are possible, within the next 48 hours. These winds may be accompanied by storm surge and coastal flooding.
The tropical cyclone is expected to continue to move west-northwest, and the NHC expects additional strengthening.
Based on the forecast, the cyclone will approach the Lesser Antilles on Friday and could become a strong tropical storm.
The U.S. Virgin Islands are included in the forecast cone as the cyclone starts to veer more northerly over the weekend.
Tammy is expected to be pulled northward by a frontal boundary but stay well clear of the Lower 48.
While exiting the northern Caribbean islands, Tammy could enter a period of strengthening and become the season’s seventh hurricane.