The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services, in its latest tropical cyclone statement, issued on Tuesday September 28, 2021, states that Hurricane Sam is expected to pass a comfortable distance northeast of the Leeward Islands which include Montserrat tomorrow, Wednesday.

The Meteorological Services said given the reasonable worst-case scenario, there is no potential for storm-force winds reaching Montserrat from Sam. Hence, Hurricane Sam poses little to no threat Montserrat.

At 5 pm, Major Hurricane Sam was located about 530 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands which include Montserrat moving northwest at around 9 mph.

Maximum sustained winds are near 130 mph with higher gusts. Sam is a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are expected during the next couple of days, but Sam is forecast to remain a major hurricane through late this week.

On its forecast track, the system is expected to pass over 190 miles northeast of the islands tomorrow and be out of the area by Friday. Notwithstanding, swells propagated by sam have triggered high surf advisories, which may be upgraded to warnings in the next 24 hours.

Residents should continue to follow the progress of Hurricane Sam until it is out of the area. Also, all should stay prepared for the rest of the hurricane season.

The Next Update will be around 11 am tomorrow or sooner, if required.

Forecaster Dale Destin