This morning at 5:00 a.m. the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami reports that Tropical Storm Elsa was located near latitude 9.4 North and longitude 48.8 West. It is moving west at nearly 25 mph (41 km/h). Even faster west-northwest movement is expected over the next 24 to 36 hours.

On the planned path, Friday evening Elsa will travel along the south coast of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti).

Between Saturday July 3 2:00 p.m. and Sunday July 4 2:00 a.m. Elsa will affect the southern peninsula of Haiti.

Maximum sustained winds increased to nearly 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts. Further strengthening is expected over the next few days.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 km) from the center.

There is a risk of wind impact and heavy rainfall in parts of the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Southern Haiti, Cuba, Turks and Caicos Islands and the Southeastern Bahamas until early next week.

Florida residents should watch for forecast updates for this system, but it is too early to determine if any impacts could occur to Florida next week, given the uncertainty of the long-term forecast.

To be continued...

SL/ HaitiLibre