TROPICAL STORM ELSA STRENGTHENS TO A CATEGORY 1 HURRICANE

Synopsis:  At 800 am, Hurricane Elsa is centered at latitude 12.9 North, longitude 59.8West, about 112 nautical miles east north east of Grenada. The center of the system passed just south of Barbados and continues to support torrential rains, thundershowers and gusty winds across Barbados and the Northern Windward Islands, the Lesser Antilles. Grenada is currently experiencing overcast conditions in light to heavy thundershowers from the effects of the outer feeder (rain bands) of the system.  The system is moving toward the west northwest at 28 mph (44 km/h) with Maximum sustained winds near 75mph (125 km/h) with higher gusts. The minimum central pressure is 995mb or 29.38 inches

Projected track: On the forecast track, the system will continue on a west north westerly track across the Northern Windward Islands or the southern Leeward Islands today, Friday, just north of State of Grenada and, move into the eastern Caribbean Sea late Friday and Friday night. This system is expected to bring showers and thundershowers to Grenada and the rest of the Windward Islands on Friday.

Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique can expect cloudy to overcast conditions with showers (which may become heavy) and thundershowers accompanied by gusty winds today. Some residual showers can also be expected on Saturday. The likelihood of significant impacts is greater for the Sister Isles of Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

The Met Office continues to closely monitor the progress of this system as propagates across the island the island chain.

Potential Impacts (most significant across the northern section of the state)

• Flash flooding 
• Downed trees and powerlines 
• Landslides and rock fall

A hurricane warning has been issued for Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, andSt. Lucia.

GRENADA REMAINS UNDER A TROPICAL STORM WATCH AT THIS TIME.

Next update will be issued at 11 am or as warranted.