At 800 AM AST (1200 UTC), on Friday, September 16, 2022, the center of Tropical Storm Fiona located by an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft was about 175 miles (285 km) east of Guadelope.
Fiona is moving toward the west near 15 mph (24 km/h).
A westward motion with a gradual decrease in forward speed is expected through Saturday night or early Sunday, followed by a turn toward the west-northwest later on Sunday.
On the forecast track, the center of Fiona is expected to move across the Leeward Islands tonight and early Saturday and move near or just south of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico late Saturday into Sunday.
Data from a NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts.
Some slight strengthening is forecast during the next few days. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles (205 km) from the center.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1004 mb (29.65 inches).
WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected across portions of the northern Leeward Islands within the warning area beginning late this afternoon or this evening.
Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area across the Virgin Islands on Saturday and in Puerto Rico late Saturday or Saturday night.
RAINFALL: Fiona is forecast to produce the following rainfall totals:
Leeward Islands and Northern Windward Islands: 3 to 6 inches.
British and U.S. Virgin Islands: 4 to 6 inches
Puerto Rico: 4 to 8 inches with maximum totals of 12 inches, particularly across eastern and southern Puerto Rico.
Eastern Dominican Republic: 6 to 10 inches with maximum totals of 16 inches possible
Turks and Caicos: 4 to 8 inches
These rains may produce flash and urban flooding, along with mudslides in areas of higher terrain, particularly southern and eastern Puerto Rico and the eastern Dominican Republic.
STORM SURGE: Localized coastal flooding will be possible along the coasts of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico in areas of onshore winds Saturday into Sunday.
SURF: Swells generated by Fiona are affecting the Leeward Islands, and are expected to spread westward to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico today and Saturday.
These conditions could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.
