Published 23rd August 2020, 5:14pm

Tropical Storm Warning Issued for Sister Islands

The track of Tropical Storm Laura has drifted further south than forecast, and as a result the Government of the Cayman Islands has placed the Sister Islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman under a Tropical Storm Warning. A Tropical Storm Warning means that sustained winds of between 39 mph and 73 mph are likely with higher gusts.

No Watch or Warning has been issued for Grand Cayman. Conditions in the Sister Islands are to likely deteriorate beginning early tomorrow morning with strong gusty winds, thunder and heavy rainfall which will lead to flooding of low lying areas.

Weather conditions could make driving challenging in the Sister Islands especially beginning early Monday morning and through the day. While the majority of homes in the Cayman Islands can withstand Tropical Storm force winds, it is possible that some damage could occur to trees and power outages are also possible. Residents of the Sister Islands are encouraged to stay indoors and avoid driving on Monday.

Starting tomorrow, swells and waves will increase and this includes the west sides of all three Islands.

The Cayman Islands National Weather Service has issued the following severe weather bulletin:

THIS IS A SEVERE WEATHER BULLETIN PREPARED BY THE CAYMAN ISLANDS NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

4pm Tropical Laura Bulletin 1.

At 4 pm Tropical Storm Laura was located near Latitude 19.5 North… Longitude 75.2 West or about 300 mile east of Cayman Brac and 403 miles east of Grand Cayman. The storm is moving towards the west-northwest near 21 mph with maximum sustained winds of 60mph. On this track Tropical Storm Laura is expected to at its closest point of approach be near 92 miles north-northeast of Cayman Brac by around 5am tomorrow, Monday August 24th.

THE FORECAST PATH FOR THIS STORM HAS DRIFTED SOUTH AS OF THIS MORNING AND ALTHOUGH THE LATEST FORECAST PATH SUGGESTS THAT TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS MAY STILL REMAIN NORTH OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS, THE ASSOCIATED PATTERN ON INCLEMENT WEATHER IS EXPECTED TO IMPACT THE SISTER ISLANDS OVERNIGHT. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING HAS NOW BEEN ISSUED FOR THE SISTER ISLANDS.

Conditions expected over the Sister Islands:

The latest forecast issued by the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, suggests that Tropical Storm winds may extend uncomfortably close to Cayman Brac by early tomorrow morning. Although the probability of Cayman Brac experiencing sustained winds of 34 knots (39 mph) or more remains low any further unexpected progression south of the forecast track could mean that the Sister Islands may experience winds of 34 knots (39 mph) for a brief period possibly from early tomorrow through mid-morning. Squally conditions with higher gust are also likely over the Sister Islands during this period. Wind direction is expected to be from the north-northwest tonight, backing towards south-southwesterly by morning, south-southeasterly by afternoon and becoming southeasterly 15 to 20 knots by tomorrow evening.

Moderate to locally heavy showers are expected from tonight through tomorrow evening as Tropical Storm Laura moves south of Cuba. Rainfall accumulation estimates near 1.5 inches are expected for the Sister Islands can be expected over the next 24-36 hrs and FLOODING OF LOW LYING AREAS IS LIKELY. Residents in these low-lying areas should take the necessary precautions.

Seas conditions over the Sister Islands are expected to be slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet through early night, becoming rough with wave heights of 6 to 8 feet tomorrow morning. ALL MARINE INTEREST OVER THE SISTER ISLANDS SHOULD SEEK SAFE HARBOUR AND REMAIN THERE UNTIL AT LEAST TOMORROW EVENING.

Conditions expected over Grand Cayman:

Over Grand Cayman, conditions are expected to be bit more subdued with Tropical Storm Laura expected to pass about 156 miles north-northeast of Grand Cayman at its closest point of approach. The winds direction is expected to be northerly tonight, backing towards the west-southwest by tomorrow morning, southerly by afternoon and becoming southeasterly 15 to 20 knots by tomorrow evening. Higher gust are likely in and around heavy showers.

Rainfall estimate for Grand Cayman suggest accumulations of 1 inch are likely through tomorrow evening. Showers may be locally heavy at times.

Seas of Grand Cayman are expected to be slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet and become rough in and around heavy showers over the next 24hrs. While the risk to marine interests in Grand Cayman might be low at this time, extra caution should be taken through the next 24hrs.

The next bulletin will be issued at 10 pm tonight.

FORECASTER

Powery

(NHC Image)