A SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETIN HAS BEEN ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY AT 11:00PM EDT FRIDAY 22ND AUGUST, 2014.
A 80% Chance of Tropical Storm Formation in 48 Hours.
As of 8:00 pm EDT/Friday/22/August/2014… An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft investigating the area of disturbed weather near Puerto Rico and Hispaniola reported winds of tropical storm force over the open waters north of those islands. However, the aircraft data and surface observations indicate that the system still lacks a well-defined surface circulation. Another Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate the system on Saturday morning, if necessary.
Showers and thunderstorms associated with the system are gradually becoming better organized, but the proximity of the system to Hispaniola could limit development tonight. Conditions are expected to become more conducive for development when the disturbance moves near or over the Turks & Caicos Islands and the Southeast Bahamas on Saturday.
Gusty winds and heavy rains are expected across the Turks & Caicos Islands and the Southeast and Central Bahamas tonight and Saturday. These heavy rains will most likely cause extensive flooding in low lying areas.
Residents and interests in the Turks & Caicos Islands and the Southeast and Central Bahamas are advised to begin and to complete storm preparations as soon as possible since Tropical Storm Watches or Warnings could be required with little advance notice.
