ACCORDING TO THE 5 AM TROPICAL ALERT STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES ON THURSDAY, 22 JUNE 2023, ON ITS PRESENT TRACK, BRET IS FORECAST TO MOVE OVER THE WINDWARD ISLANDS ON THURSDAY WELL SOUTH OF AND AT A SAFE DISTANCE FROM MONTSERRAT. NO SPECIFIC ACTION IS REQUIRED OF RESIDENTS AT THIS TIME OTHER THAN TO KEEP MONITORING THE PROGRESS OF TROPICAL STORM BRET.

AT 5 AM, THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM BRET WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 13.7 NORTH, LONGITUDE 56.6 WEST OR ABOUT 363 MILES SOUTHEAST OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS.

BRET IS MOVING TOWARDS THE WEST NEAR 15 MILES PER HOUR AND THIS GENERAL MOTION WITH AN INCREASE IN FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE DURING THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 70 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT DAY OR SO WHILE BRET APPROACHES THE LESSER ANTILLES. WEAKENING IS ANTICIPATED TO BEGIN THURSDAY NIGHT OR FRIDAY AFTER BRET PASSES THE LESSER ANTILLES, AND THE SYSTEM IS LIKELY TO DISSIPATE OVER THE CENTRAL CARIBBEAN SEA BY SATURDAY.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND UP TO 115 MILES FROM THE CENTER.

THE ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 996 MB OR 29.42 INCHES.

THE NEXT ADVISORY WILL BE AT 11 AM.

FORECASTER CECIL MATTHEW