Depression No. 2 become Tropical Storm Beryl

A tropical depression located to the east of Barbados was upgraded to Tropical Storm Beryl on Friday night.

The Barbados Meteorological Services continues to monitor the system, located near 9.3N 43.6W or 1 100 miles/1 800 km east-southeast of Barbados, at 11 p.m.

A hurricane watch may be issued by Saturday morning.

The system is expected to affect Barbados late Sunday night into Monday. As a result, there is the possibility of flash flooding and storm-force winds impacting the island during that time. Additionally, a small craft and high surf warning are currently in effect for above-normal sea swells.

After becoming better organised over the past few hours, the system was upgraded to Tropical Storm Beryl and is moving westward at 18mph (30km/h) with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65km/h). The minimal central pressure is 1006 mb.

Model consensus continues to track the centre of the system just south of Barbados early Monday.

Although there remains uncertainty regarding the intensity of the system in the coming days, some model guidance suggests it could develop into a hurricane before reaching Barbados. (PR/SAT)