5.30pm, 23 September
A flash flood watch for Anguilla which the Department of Disaster Management issued earlier today has been discontinued.
Experts are no longer expecting a tropical wave, which is passing over the island during the next several hours, to pose a safety threat.
In its 2pm forecast, the National Hurricane Center reported that the weather system, located just east of the Leeward Islands, was producing showers, thunderstorms and gusty winds.
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It was moving quickly west-northwest at 15 to 20 miles per hour and had a very low chance – just 20% – of developing into a tropical depression in the next 48 hours.
Once it has passed Anguilla and its neighbouring islands, the system is expected to slow down and turn more northwestward.
There is a 60% chance that a tropical depression could then form in the next week.
A second tropical wave is following behind the first – but its path is forecast to track north of the Leeward Islands.
This system has a 60% chance of forming into a cyclone in 48 hours and a 90% chance of forming in the next week.
Previous updates:
3pm, 23 September
Anguilla’s disaster management experts have issued a flash flood watch as a tropical wave approaches the island bringing unsettled weather.
The Department of Disaster Management issued the alert on its social media channels at 10.41am, saying that moderate to major flooding is “possible but not imminent”.
It described flash flooding as “a very dangerous situation”.
In its 2pm forecast, the National Hurricane Center reported that the weather system, currently located just east of the Leeward Islands, is producing showers, thunderstorms and gusty winds.
It is moving quickly west-northwest at 15 to 20 miles per hour and has a very low chance – just 20% – of developing into a tropical depression in the next 48 hours.
Once it has passed Anguilla and its neighbouring islands, the system is expected to slow down and turn more northwestward.
There is a 60% chance that a tropical depression could then form in the next week.
A second tropical wave is following behind the first – but its path is forecast to track north of the Leeward Islands.
This system has a 60% chance of forming into a cyclone in 48 hours and a 90% chance of forming in the next week.
10.30am, 22 September
A tropical wave is likely to bring some unsettled weather to Anguilla over the next few days, according to the National Hurricane Center.
In its 8am forecast, the centre reported that the weather system, currently located 400 miles east of the Leeward Islands, is producing showers and thunderstorms.
It is moving quickly west-northwest at 15 to 20 miles per hour and has a very low chance – just 10% – of developing into a tropical depression in the next 48 hours.
“Regardless of development, gusty winds and showers are expected to affect portions of the Leeward Islands late tonight and Tuesday,” the forecast said.
Once it has passed Anguilla and its neighbouring islands, the system is expected to slow down and turn more northwestward.
There is a 40% chance that a tropical depression could then form in the next week.
A second tropical wave is following behind the first – but its path is forecast to track north of the Leeward Islands.
This system has a 20% chance of forming into a cyclone in 48 hours but a 70% chance of forming in the next week.
Anguilla’s Department of Disaster Management advises the public stay connected through its official WhatsApp channel. Click here for more information.
Information on how to prepare for a hurricane is available from the US National Weather Service here.
A list and map of hurricane shelter locations can be found on the Anguilla Red Cross site here.
