Tropical Storm "Kirk" continues moving west over the Atlantic toward the Lesser Antilles. Its center may pass over or south of Martinique by the end of the UTC day.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Barbados, St. Lucia, Dominica, Martinique and Guadeloupe while Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Interests elsewhere in the central and northern Lesser Antilles should monitor the progress of Kirk.
At 09:00 UTC on September 27, the center of Tropical Storm "Kirk" was located about 135 km (85 miles) ENE of Barbados and 320 km (200 miles) ESE of Martinique. Its maximum sustained winds were 85 km/h (50 mph) and the system was moving WNW at 26 km/h (16 mph).
Kirk's center will move across the Lesser Antilles within the warning area by this evening.
Tropical Storm "Kirk" at 11:30 UTC on September 27, 2018. Credit: NOAA/GOES-East
Kirk will start its weakening phase during the next couple of days but is forecast to move across the Lesser Antilles and into the Caribbean Sea as a tropical storm.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 220 km (140 miles), mostly north and east of the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1002 hPa.
Kirk is expected to produce total rainfall of 101 - 152 mm (4 to 6 inches) across the northern Windward and the southern Leeward Islands with isolated maximum totals up to 254 mm (10 inches) across Martinique and Dominica.
These rains may produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.
Across eastern Puerto Rico, Kirk is expected to bring 51 - 102 mm (2 to 4 inches) with isolated maximum totals of 152 mm (6 inches) by Friday and Saturday.
Featured image: Tropical Storm "Kirk" at 11:30 UTC on September 27, 2018. Credit: NOAA/GOES-East
