A strong tropical wave has swept over the Dominican Republic with sustained winds, and heavy rain. The tropical wave does not any direct relation to Hurricane Danielle, the fourth in the Atlantic Basin area. Hurricane Danielle moves West-Northwest and is gaining strength. At 11 am AST, the center of Danielle was located near Latitude 16.5 North, Longitude 44.2 West, East of the Lesser Antilles. Danielle is moving toward the WNW near 21 mph (33 km/hr), and this motion is expected to continue today and tomorrow. Nevertheless, atmospheric conditions forecasted above the islands could inhibit Danielle’s curving towards the north, this means that the storm is forecasted to go straight for the NE Islands (Antigua, Barbuda, St. Maarten, etc.) Danielle could be there by Friday with winds increased to minimal hurricane strength. Danielle was upgraded at 11 am to hurricane category after satellite images indicated that the tropical storm had developed a an eye suggesting that the system has strengthened. Maximum sustained winds are near 80 mph and fast strengthening, with these expected to reach 104 mph in 48 hours. Minimum central pleasure has dropped to 987 mb. A continued strengthening is forecast and the hurricane is expected to turn a little more to the West as the ridge builds to the north. A hurricane watch may be called for portions of the northern Leeward islands as early as tonight or Wednesday. For more information, link to http://cirrus.sprl.umich.edu/wxnet/tropical.html http://www.usatoday.com/weather/huricane/whatltrk.htm#danielle
