Tropical Storm Watch Over the Caribbean as Fiona Brings Gusty Winds, Heavy Rains

Following hurricanes Danielle and Earl last week, Tropical Storm Fiona shaped up in the Atlantic on Wednesday night. It is currently moving toward Puerto Rico and the northeastern Caribbean islands, where some areas are under a Tropical Storm Watch.

Between Friday and Sunday, Fiona's wind and rain effects are anticipated to move from the northeastern Caribbean islands through Puerto Rico and Hispaniola to the west.

As of Thursday at noon, Tropical Storm Fiona had sustained winds of 50 mph and higher gusts. To make more thorough observations, the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is en route to Fiona on Thursday afternoon.

Fiona in the Caribbeans

Tropical Storm Fiona is generating a large area of thunderstorms and showers, primarily to the east of its center or circulation, and is centered under 500 miles due east of the northeastern Caribbean islands.

A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph is referred to as a tropical storm. The National Hurricane Center selects a name for a developing tropical storm from one of six alternating lists.

Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings

In some island nations in the northeastern Caribbean, tropical storm watches and warnings have been issued in advance of the arrival of Tropical Storm Fiona's strong winds and torrential rain.

A Tropical Storm Warning indicates that within the next 36 hours sustained winds of at least 39 mph are anticipated. The NHC issues a warning that tropical-storm-force winds will start on Friday night in the warning areas.

A tropical storm watch indicates that sustained winds of at least 39 mph could occur within the next two days or 48 hours. By Friday night, the watch areas could experience winds equivalent to a tropical storm, according to the NHC.

Later on Thursday, further west along Fiona's path, more watches and warnings are anticipated.

Tropical Storm Fiona Forecasts

Fiona is predicted to make a general westward turn until late Saturday before reversing course to the west-northwest on Sunday.

The British, US, and Puerto Rican Virgin Islands, as well as Puerto Rico, will be in Fiona's path from late Saturday into Sunday. Fiona will first move throughout the northeastern Caribbean islands by Friday night and early Saturday.

Fiona may gradually strengthen over the coming days, but current trends indicate that it won't become a hurricane over the next five days as it maintains its tropical storm status through Tuesday.

What are the impacts of Tropical Storm Fiona?

By Friday afternoon or evening, strong winds and lots of rain are expected to reach the northeastern Caribbean islands. From Saturday night into Sunday morning, they are expected to spread to Puerto Rico, the British and US Virgin Islands, and the rest of the region. On Sunday as well, eastern Hispaniola is probably going to experience the wind and rain from Fiona.

All of Puerto Rico and the USVI are now under flood watches that will last from Friday evening to Monday afternoon.

The British and US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the northeastern Caribbean islands are all expected to receive 4 to 6 inches of rain from Tropical Storm Fiona. Across eastern Puerto Rico, isolated rainfall amounts of up to 10 inches are possible.

Between 4 and 8 inches of rain are predicted for eastern Hispaniola, with isolated maximum totals that could reach 12 inches.

The FOX Forecast Center noted that because Puerto Rico's soils have been saturated by recent rain, Fiona's heavy rain could cause flooding in cities and small streams as well as disastrous mudslides.

Flash and urban flooding, as well as isolated mudslides in areas of higher terrain, will be a threat to other Caribbean islands through Hispaniola, FOX Weather reports.