A tropical depression has formed in the tropical Atlantic east of the Windward Islands and is moving toward the west-northwest near 18 mph. A west-northwestward to westward motion at about the same forward speed is expected over the next 48 hours.
According to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, on the forecast track, the centre of the tropical cyclone should be near the Windward Islands on Friday. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph, with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and the depression could become a tropical storm on Wednesday night or on Thursday.
The government of Barbados has issued a tropical storm watch for Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Dominica. The government of St Lucia has issued a tropical storm watch for St Lucia. The government of France has issued a tropical storm watch for Martinique and Guadeloupe. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.
Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area on Friday.
Interests elsewhere in the Lesser Antilles should monitor the progress of this system.
