Jose reaches Category 4 hurricane strength, following Irma toward Leeward Islands

hurricane-jose-leeward-islands-forecast-track-september-2017

Tropical Storm "Jose" formed September 5, 2017 over the open waters of Atlantic Ocean as the 10th named tropical cyclone of the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season. Three days later, Jose is a powerful, Category 4 hurricane following almost the same path that devastating Hurricane "Irma" took while approaching the Leeward Islands just a few days ago. Heavy rainfall produced by this storm will maintain any ongoing flooding and may cause additional life-threatening flooding. In addition, Jose will bring powerful winds to already devastated islands and a new round of life-threatening swells.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for Barbuda and Anguilla, Sint Maarten, St. Martin and St. Barthelemy. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

As of 21:00 UTC on September 8, the center of Hurricane "Jose" was located about 540 km (3335 miles) ESE of the northern Leeward Islands and had maximum sustained winds of 240 km/h (150 mph). This places Jose on the upper edge of Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

Jose is moving toward the west-northwest near 28 km/h (17 mph) with a minimum central pressure of 940 hPa. A gradual turn toward the northwest with a decrease in forward speed is expected during the next 48 hours.

Some fluctuations in intensity are possible over the next day or so, and gradual weakening is expected after that.

On the current forecast track, the center of Jose will pass near or east of the northeastern Leeward Islands on Saturday, September 9.

Although it is not expected to make a landfall, islands devastated by Category 5 Hurricane "Irma" will feel extremely dangerous effects of yet another major hurricane. 

Katia, Irma and Jose at 20:15 UTC on September 8, 2017

Hurricanes Katia, Irma and Jose at 20:15 UTC on September 8, 2017. Credit: NOAA/GOES-16 (preliminary and non-operational)

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for:

  • Barbuda and Anguilla
  • Sint Maarten
  • St. Martin
  • St. Barthelemy

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within 24 hours. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

  • Antigua

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within 36 hours.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

  • Antigua
  • Saba and St. Eustatius

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:

  • Montserrat, St Kitts, and Nevis
  • British Virgin Islands
  • St. Thomas and St. John

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

Hurricane Jose wind speed probabilities September 8 - 13, 2017

Hazards affecting land

Hurricane conditions are possible within the hurricane watch area on Saturday, September 8 and tropical storm conditions are expected within the tropical storm warning areas by Saturday morning. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the tropical storm watch area in the northeastern Leeward Islands by Saturday morning and in the watch area in the Virgin Islands by Saturday night.

Jose is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 76.2 to 127 mm (3 to 5 inches) in the Leeward Islands from Guadeloupe to Anguilla, with isolated maximum amounts of 203.2 mm (8 inches). Jose is also expected to produce total rain accumulations of 25.4 to 76.2 mm (1 to 3 inches) over the Virgin Islands and Dominica. This rainfall will maintain any ongoing flooding and may cause additional life-threatening flooding.

Swells generated by Jose are expected to affect portions of the Leeward Islands beginning Friday afternoon (local time). These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Featured image: Hurricane "Jose" (right) and Hurricane "Irma" (left) at 20:15 UTC on September 8, 2017. Credit: NOAA/GOES-16 (preliminary and non-operational)

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One Comment

  1. The book of the prophet Joel comes to mind from the Bible. There is this mention of the moon having a red color and the sun having a dark color before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord (God). The moon has had a red color at times here in Washington State because of the fires and bad air and the sun just had this eclipse that was observed from Oregon to Georgia. 2 weeks after a major eclipse You can expect more earthquake activity because of the increased gravitational pull. What’s up with all those reported “fireballs” in the sky in different places? One certainly feels very small with these overwhelming displays of the power of God. It’s called “Awe”. The “Days of Awe” are these here upcoming Jewish Holy Days , Rosh Hashana (Feast of trumpets) , and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). The eclipse was on the first day of Elul, the lunar month preceding this feast of trumpets. Rosh Hashana is also the Jewish “New Year”, and the birthday of the world and the Day of Judgement. Rosh Hashana starts the month of “Tishri”, very awe inspiring times we live in. I am in awe, these are frightful times, what with hurricanes and earthquake.

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