Tropical Storm Philippe Seen To Hit Atlantic Canada With Heavy Rains, Storm Surge

Weather experts said that Tropical Storm Philippe is seen to strike and pound Atlantic Canada with heavy rains and storm surge.

According to meteorologists, the impacts of the tropical storm will be felt from the eastern Caribbean to Bermuda and eventually in the Atlantic Canada.

latest wind speed probabilities of Tropical Storm Philippe

(Photo : NOAA)

Track of Philippe

The National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center said that at 1100 PM AST (0300 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Philippe was located near latitude 20.1 North, longitude 65.5 West.

Officials said that Philippe is moving toward the northwest near 12 mph (19 km/h).

Meanwhile, a turn toward the north-northwest is forecasted, which will be followed by a faster motion toward the north on Thursday and Friday.

Further, it is stated on the forecast track that the center of Philippe would continue to move away from the Virgin Islands.

Philippe will then approach Bermuda Thursday night and Friday.

Philippe's maximum sustained winds would remain near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next few days.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 160 miles (260 km) from the center, according to meteorologists.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1004 mb (29.65 inches).

Philippe is forecasted to produce rainfall amounts in various areas such as the United States & British Virgin Islands: 4 to 8 inches with maximum amounts to 12 inches; and Puerto Rico: 2 to 4 inches.

Experts warned that the rainfall would result in scattered flash flooding.

When it comes to the winds, gusty ones are likely to continue across portions of the Virgin Islands through early Wednesday.

On the other hand, the swells generated by Philippe will affect portions of the Atlantic coasts of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico for another couple of days. These swells are expected to reach Bermuda by late Thursday.

These weather conditions are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip currents.

Meteorologists said that even though the center of Philippe is more than one hundred miles north of the Virgin Islands, heavy rains on the system's south side continue to affect portions of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

The tropical storm has remained poorly organized with the low-level circulation appearing diffuse and convection remaining ragged and lacking organization.

Meteorologists said that the initial intensity is held at 40 kt, which is near the high end of the satellite intensity estimates.

The storm continues to feel the effects of west-northwesterly shear and dry air entrainment, and its poor structure suggests that little intensification is very likely in the short term.

Bermuda

According to weather experts, Bermuda will be next in Philippe's path, with the potential for direct or indirect impacts.

They said that the proximity of Philippe's track to Bermuda and the storm's intensity would likely determine the scope of impacts on the small group of islands in the west-central Atlantic.

They also said that there is a small chance that steering winds could direct Philippe southeastward over the region, allowing the system to merge with a non-tropical system as well as its associated cold front.