7 October, 9.30am
Category one cyclone Hurricane Leslie is expected to head north into the open Atlantic, completely missing the Caribbean region.
In its 5am update, the National Hurricane Center said the storm has maximum sustained winds of 90 miles per hour and is moving northwest at 13 mph.
“This general motion is expected to continue over the next few days followed by a turn toward the north-northwest on Friday,” the advisory continued.
Hurricane Leslie is currently located about 1,065 miles west of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
Gradual weakening is forecast to commence soon and continue through the week, the National Hurricane Center said.
There are two other cyclones currently being monitored in the region – category one Hurricane Kirk and category four Hurricane Milton.
Neither are a threat to Montserrat or the northeast Caribbean, however dangerous hurricane-force winds from Hurricane Milton are expected to strike Florida from Wednesday.
Above average
In May, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted an above normal Atlantic hurricane season from June 1 to November 30.
Experts forecast a range of 17 to 25 total named storms with winds of 39 miles per hour or higher. They expected eight to 13 to become hurricanes, with winds of 74 miles per hour or higher.
Of those, they forecast four to seven to be major hurricanes, of category three, four or five, with winds of 111 miles per hour or higher.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has so far produced 13 named storms, nine of which became hurricanes.
DMCA director Alvin Ryan, in a Facebook video message on 1 June, urged residents to prepare.
“Action now can really help reduce the impacts of storms on our communities, reduce damage to property, and most importantly, save lives, which is the ultimate goal,” he said.
“Remember, it only takes one.”
Information on how to prepare for a hurricane is available in the DMCA’s 2024 Hurricane Preparedness Guide here.
Visit the National Hurricane Center for the latest weather updates at www.nhc.noaa.gov
