Tropical Storm CHRIS - continued

This is turning out to be a tenacious beast, currently passing through the Bahamas and heading for northern Cuba. The system is barely strong enough to be classified a tropical storm, but the NHC is taking no chances and have issued the following advisory:

A tropical storm warning is in effect for the Turks & Caicos and for the SE Bahamas, including the Acklins, Crooked Island, the Inaguas, Mayaguana and the Ragged Islands. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for Long Island and the Exumas in the Central Bahamas. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the watch area generally within 36 hours.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for the northern coast of Hispaniola from La Mole St Nicolas (Haiti) eastward to Samana (Dominican Republic). A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within 12 hours.

A tropical storm watch or warning will likely be required for portions of the north coast of eastern Cuba later today.

For storm information and warnings specific for your area, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your local weather buro.

At 5.00 am AST (0900 GMT) the center of Tropical Storm CHRIS was located at latitude 20.9 North longitude 70.9 West or about 45 miles / 70 km south south east of Grand Turk Island.

Chris is moving toward the westnear 15 mph / 24 km/h and this motion is expected to continue over the next 24 hours. Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph / 65 kph with higher gusts. No significant change in strength is forecast during the next 24 hours.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles / 110 km to the east from the center. Minimum central pressure, reported by an airforce reconnaissance aircraft was 1012 mbar.

Chris is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches (50 to 100 mm) across the Dominican Republic, the Turks and Caicos, the southeast Bahamas, Haiti and eastern Cuba with isolated totals of up to 6 inches (150 mm) over the higher terrain through today.