In a statement issued on Friday September 24, 2021, The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services, states that given the uncertainty in the forecast track, intensity and size of Hurricane Sam, it is impossible to predict what the exact impacts, if any, are expected to occur this far in advance.
However, residents should go over their hurricane disaster plans and continue to monitor this system closely.
FULL STATEMENT BELOW:
SAM IS NOW A HURRICANE, AND RAPID INTENSIFICATION IS FORECAST TO CONTINUE…
A TROPICAL CYCLONE ALERT IS IN EFFECT FOR THE LEEWARD ISLANDS AND THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS. A TROPICAL CYCLONE ALERT MEANS THAT, IN THIS CASE A HURRICANE IS IN OUR MONITORED AREA BUT A WATCH OR WARNING IS NOT REQUIRED AT THIS TIME.GIVEN THE UNCERTAINTY IN THE FORECAST TRACK , INTENSITY AND SIZE OF THE TROPICAL CYCLONE , IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT WHAT THE EXACT IMPACTS, IF ANY, ARE EXPECTED TO OCCUR THIS FAR IN ADVANCE. NOTWITHSTANDING, SAM IS EXPECTED TO BECOME A MAJOR HURRICANE TONIGHT OR EARLY SATURDAY AS IT MOVES CLOSER TO THE AREA.
SAM IS FORECAST TO BE OF LITTLE TO THREAT TO THE AREA, AS THE FORECAST PATH KEEP IT AT A SAFE DISTANCE; HOWEVER, RESIDENTS SHOULD GO OVER THEIR HURRICANE DISASTER PLANS AND CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS SYSTEM CLOSELY….
AT 5 AM, THE CENTRE OF HURRICANE SAM WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 11.5 NORTH,LONGITUDE 42.2 WEST OR ABOUT 1470 MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS AND BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS.
HURRICANE SAM IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST AT 15 MILES PER HOUR. THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH TO TONIGHT. A DECREASE IN FORWARD SPEED AND A SHIFT TO THE WEST-NORTHWEST IS EXPECTED OVER THE WEEKEND.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE INCREASED TO 75 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. RAPID INTENSIFICATION IS FORECAST TO CONTINUE AND SAM IS LIKELY TO BECOME A MAJOR HURRICANE TONIGHT OR EARLY SATURDAY.
HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND UP TO 15 MILES FROM THE CENTRE AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 60 MILES.
THE ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 993 MB OR 29.33 INCHES.ALL RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO MONITOR THE MOVEMENT OF SAM CLOSELY AND BE PREPARED TO ACT.
THE NEXT ADVISORY WILL BE AT 11 AM.FORECASTER PATRICE EDWARDS