Antigua issues tropical storm watch for Tropical Storm Philippe

ST JOHN'S, Antigua, CMC- The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has issued a tropical storm watch as Tropical Storm Philippe approaches the region.

The National Office of Disaster Services is urging residents “to have their hurricane preparedness plans in place for any eventuality and continue to monitor the system”, which is west of the Eastern Caribbean archipelago.

At 2 p.m. (local time) on Sunday, the centre of Tropical Storm Philippe was located near latitude 16.2 North, longitude 58.8 West or 220 miles East Southeast of Barbuda.

Philippe is moving toward the west-northwest near 7 mph (11 km/h) and a west-northwestward to northwestward motion is expected through tonight with an increase in forward speed by Monday and a northward motion on Tuesday, the Florida-based National Hurricane Centre said.

On the forecast track, the centre of Philippe is forecast to pass near or just northeast of the northern Leeward Islands on Monday and Monday night.

The hurricane centre said that satellite wind data indicate that the maximum sustained winds remain near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts and extend outward up to 170 miles (275Km), most of which is east of the storm's centre.

Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours, but Philippe could begin to intensify more significantly around the middle of the week.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Rina, which is located near latitude 25.3 North, longitude 54.8 West, is said to be moving toward the northwest near 15 mph (24 km/h), with an expected turn toward the north-northwest and north between tonight and Monday.

Rina poses no threat to land.

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