The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service is following the progress of Tropical Storm Dolly, which was previously Tropical Disturbance AL96, located over the central tropical North Atlantic Ocean. The system is likely to dissipate before reaching the islands.

The best available forecast has Dolly dissipating in 48 hours, about 300 miles east of the islands on Saturday. In the reasonable worst-case scenario, it could reach the islands as a minimal tropical storm. At this time, the risk of wind and rainfall impacts from Dolly is very low; no action is required. The risk of wave impacts is moderate; be aware.

Residents of the Leeward Islands and the British Virgin Islands should monitor this system. To be safe, everyone is reminded to remain prepared for the remainder of the hurricane season.

At 11 a.m. ECT, or 1500 UTC, Tropical Storm Dolly was centred about 1,550 miles east-southeast of Antigua and Barbuda and the rest of the Leeward Islands, moving west at around 24 mph.

The maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph. On the forecast track, this system could be near the Leeward Islands this Saturday or Sunday. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Dolly is forecast to degenerate into a tropical wave before it reaches the Leeward Islands.

Please note that there are no tropical cyclone alerts, watches or warnings in effect for the area at this time, but an alert may be required later today.

The next update will be around 2 p.m. tomorrow, or sooner if required.

Forecaster Dale Destin

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Tropical Storm Dolly Poses Very Low Wind and Rainfall Risk to Antigua and Barbuda.