Powerful Hurricane Jose forecast to be near St Maarten Saturday

As of the 8pm forecast by the National Hurricane Center on September 8, 2017 – St Maarten is under a Hurricane Warning for Saturday.

The eye of Hurricane Jose was located near latitude 16.7 North, longitude 58.8 West. Jose is moving toward the west-northwest near 17 mph (28 km/h). A turn toward the northwest with a decrease in forward speed is forecast to begin overnight and continue through the weekend. On the forecast track, the core of Jose will pass close to or just east of the northern Leeward Islands.

Maximum sustained winds are near 150 mph (240 km/h) with higher gusts. Jose is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuation in intensity, up or down, could occur during the next day or so. Gradual weakening is expected after that.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure based observations from the Air Force Hurricane Hunters is 938 mb (27.70 inches).

• A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Barbuda, Anguilla, St Maarten, St Martin and St Barts. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Antigua.
• A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Antigua, Saba and St. Eustatius
• A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Montserrat, St Kitts, and Nevis, the British Virgin Islands, St. Thomas and St. John
• A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within 24 hours. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
• A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.
• A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within 24 hours.
• A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

Forecast:

Wind: Hurricane conditions are likely within the hurricane warning area on Saturday. Hurricane conditions are also possible within the hurricane watch area on Saturday. Tropical storm conditions are expected within the tropical storm warning areas by Saturday morning. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the tropical storm watch area in the northeastern Leeward Islands by Saturday morning and in the watch area in the Virgin Islands by Saturday night.

Rainfall: Jose is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 3 to 5 inches in the Leeward Islands from Guadeloupe to Anguilla, with isolated maximum amounts of 8 inches. Jose is also expected to produce total rain accumulations of 1 to 3 inches over the Virgin Islands and Dominica. This rainfall will maintain any ongoing flooding and may cause additional life-threatening flooding.

Storm Surge: A dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels along the immediate coast in the hurricane warning areas. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.

Surf: Swells generated by Jose are affecting portions of the Leeward Islands. These swells are expected to continue for a couple of days, and could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.

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