Tropical Storm Bret formed in the central Atlantic Ocean on Monday, warning forecasters that it could become a hurricane in the eastern Caribbean on Thursday and in the Dominican Republic and Haiti over the weekend.
According to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Bret recorded maximum winds of 65 km/h on Monday as it moved west across the Atlantic at 33 km/h.
Forecasters expect it to strengthen over the next two days, reaching Category 1 hurricane strength of 75 mph Wednesday night as it approaches the Lesser Antilles.
Tropical wave in the eastern tropical Atlantic now has a 60% chance of tropical cyclone formation in the next 7 days per the National #Hurricane Center. In June, 2 storms were recorded in the tropical Atlantic (south of 23.5°N, east of 60°W). #bret was formed earlier today. pic.twitter.com/iGtGQg6n8J
– Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach) June 19, 2023
Bret is expected to move across the Lesser Antilles as a hurricane on Thursday and Friday causing flooding, heavy rain, storm surge and waves, according to the center, and is expected to weaken further in the eastern Caribbean region. .
“Everyone in the Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands should closely monitor forecast updates for this system and have their hurricane plan in place,” the center said.
The National Hurricane Center also said there was a chance Bret could turn north or continue west into the Caribbean and threaten the Dominican Republic, Haiti and other islands.
“Greater than normal uncertainty remains,” the center said of the storm’s forecast track.
Tropical Depression 3 is expected to reach #hurricane strength. Only one Atlantic storm formed in June in the tropical Atlantic (south of 23.5°N, east of 60°W) reaching recorded hurricane strength: Trinidad (1933). pic.twitter.com/B2ON3xWNCi
– Philip Klotzbach (@philklotzbach) June 19, 2023
It’s been nearly a century since a storm became a hurricane in the tropical Atlantic in June, according to Colorado State University meteorologist Philip Klotzbach.
The last recorded storm was in Trinidad in 1933, he said on the social network Twitter.
Source: TSF
