Hurricane Jerry Expected To Pass Well North Of Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Hurricane Jerry expected to pass well north of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Saturday.

At 11 p.m., the center of the storm was about 160 miles north of Anguilla. It was moving to the west-northwest at 16 mph with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles.

The hurricane is forecast to recurve over the western Atlantic during the next few days.

On the forecast track, the center of Jerry will pass well north of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Saturday, pass well east of the southeastern Bahamas on Sunday, and turn northward over the western Atlantic on Monday.

Little change in strength is forecast during the several days, and Jerry could remain a hurricane through Monday.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* St. Maarten
* St. Martin
* St. Barthelemy

Jerry is expected to produce 1 to 3 inches of rainfall, with isolated maximum totals of 4 to 6 inches from Barbuda northwest across St. Maarten, Anguilla, and Anegada. This rainfall may produce life-threatening flash floods.

Jerry is forecast to produce total rainfall accumulations of 1 to 2 inches with maximum amounts of 3 inches across the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch areas later today.

Swells generated by Jerry are affecting portions of the northern Leeward Islands. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.