Elsa strengthens more as it moves into the Eastern Caribbean Sea.
At 2:00 pm today the center of Hurricane Elsa was located near latitude 13.7 degrees north, longitude 62.5 degrees west or about 103 miles or 165 kilometers west of Saint Lucia. Reports from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds are now near 85 mph (140 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours. Some decrease in winds is possible on Monday as Elsa interacts with Cuba.
Hurricane Elsa is moving towards the west-northwest near 29 mph or 46 km/h and this motion is expected to continue during the next couple of days, with some decrease in forward speed expected Sunday night. On the forecast track, Elsa will move away from the Windward Islands during the next several hours, move across the eastern Caribbean Sea this afternoon and tonight, and move near the southern coast of Hispaniola late Saturday or Saturday night. By Sunday, Elsa is forecast to move near Jamaica and portions of eastern Cuba, and move near portions of central and western Cuba Sunday night and early Monday. Elsa is expected to produce rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches or 102 to 203 mm with maximum totals of 10 inches or 254 mm across the Windward Islands and southern Leeward Islands.
This increases the potential for landslides and/or flash flooding. Residents and motorists in areas prone to flooding and landslides are advised to take necessary precautions. Tropical Storm warning is in effect for Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Martinique, Dominica, The coast of Haiti north of Port Au Prince South coast of the Dominican Republic east of Punta Palenque to Cabo Engano and Jamaica.
Swells generated by Elsa will affect the Windward Islands today. Small craft around Saint Lucia are strongly advised to remain in port. Residents are also advised to stay away from the beaches. The Saint Lucia Meteorological Services will continue to closely monitor the progress of this system and the next advisory will be issued at 5:00 pm.
Vigil Saltibus Meteorologist
Saint Lucia Meteorological Services