Published 24th August 2020, 5:28am

THIS IS A SEVERE WEATHER BULLETIN

PREPARED BY THE CAYMAN ISLANDS NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

4 am August 24th 2020, Tropical Laura Bulletin 3.

At 4 am Tropical Storm Laura was located near Latitude 20.8 North… Longitude 78.9 West or about 95 miles northeast of Cayman Brac and 192 miles -northeast of Grand Cayman. The storm is moving towards the west-northwest near 21 mph with maximum sustained winds of 65mph. On this track Tropical Storm Laura is expected to at its closest point of approach be near 91 miles north-northeast of Cayman Brac by around 5am today.

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS MAINTAINS A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IN PLACE 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 Laura will continue on its present track. This projection has the Sister Islands experiencing Tropical Storm force winds through this afternoon. Wind direction is expected to be from the south-southwest near 25 to 30 knots, south-southeasterly by mid-morning and becoming southeasterly 15 to 20 knots by this evening. Higher gusts nearing 35 knots are likely especially through this afternoon.

Moderate to locally heavy showers are expected through this evening as Tropical Storm Laura moves along the south coast of Cuba. Rainfall accumulation estimates between 2 to 4 inches with a localized maximum of 6 inches of rainfall could occur over the Sister Islands during the next 24 hours and FLOODING OF LOW LYING AREAS IS LIKELY. Residents in these low-lying areas should take the necessary precautions.

Sea conditions over the Sister Islands are expected to be rough with wave heights of 6 to 8 feet this morning and subsiding with wave heights of 4 to 6 feet by tonight. ALL MARINE INTEREST OVER THE SISTER ISLANDS SHOULD SEEK SAFE HARBOUR AND REMAIN THERE UNTIL AT LEAST TOMORROW MORNING.

Conditions expected over Grand Cayman:

Over Grand Cayman, conditions are expected to be a bit more subdued with Tropical Storm Laura expected to pass about 155 miles north-northeast of Grand Cayman at its closest point of approach at around 10 am this morning. The wind direction is expected to be northwesterly this morning, backing towards the southwest at 15 to 20 knots with higher gusts by mid-morning, becoming southerly 15 to 20 knots by evening. Higher gusts are also likely in and around heavy showers.

Rainfall estimates for Grand Cayman suggest accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are likely through tomorrow evening. Showers may be locally heavy at times.

Seas off Grand Cayman are expected to be slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet and become rough with wave heights of 5 to 7 feet 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 am