Tropical Storm Tammy forms in Atlantic

The Meteorological Service has said the broad area of low pressure in the Western Tropical Atlantic Ocean has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Tammy.

In its fourth statement on the system, issued at 5.35 pm, the Met Office said the storm’s centre was near 13.0N 51.7W, or about 1,005 kilometres east of the Windward Islands.

The Met Office said Tammy is moving toward the west near 23 miles per hour (37 kilometres).

It said a westward motion and a slower forward speed is expected through Thursday, with a turn toward the west-northwest forecast by Thursday night, followed by a turn toward the northwest on Friday night or Saturday.

The Met Office said on the forecast track, the centre of Tammy will move near or over the Leeward Islands on Friday and Saturday. On this track it is not expected to directly affect Trinidad and Tobago.

Maximum sustained winds are near 65 km/h with higher gusts, and gradual strengthening is forecast over the next couple of days.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for Barbados, Dominica, Martinique and Guadeloupe. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

The Met Office said there are currently no alerts, watches or warnings in effect for Trinidad and Tobago.

The Met Service said it will continue to monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Tammy and will issue an update at 6 am on Thursday or earlier if the situation warrants.