Tropical Depression No. 11 is forecast to become a tropical storm on Wednesday night, but is expected to pass “well north” of Barbados on Saturday.
According to the Barbados Meteorological Services, at 11 a.m., the system was centered near 12.4N 44.2W or about 1 035 miles/1 665 kilometres to the east of Barbados.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 35mph (55km/h) and the estimated minimum central pressure is 1007mb.
The depression is currently tracking westward at about 14 mph (22km/h), but is forecast to turn west-northwestward by tonight.
Southeasterly wind shear along with dry air to the east and southeast of the system continued to hinder any further intensification over the past 12 hours. This has resulted in the occasional weakening of deep convection over the eastern and southeastern sections.
The depression is forecast to become a tropical storm sometime tonight as the dry air entrainment and wind shear is forecast to diminish enough to allow the system to get better organised.
By Friday, southwesterly wind shear is expected to significantly impact the system structure resulting in weakening as it nears the northern Leewards.
The Barbados Meteorological Services will continue to closely monitor the system and the next update will be at noon on Thursday or sooner if conditions warrant. (PR/SAT)
