Hurricane Maria poses a significant threat to Irma-devastated areas in the northern Caribbean early this week.

Published 7 years ago, updated 5 years ago

As reported by https://www.accuweather.com

Maria, a Category 1 hurricane, poses a significant threat to Irma-devastated areas in the northern Caribbean into midweek. The hurricane continues to strengthen as it tracks west-northwestward toward the Lesser Antilles and eventually the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello tweeted that the government is working to finalize plans for Maria.

At a Saturday press conference, U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. Kenneth Mapp warned residents they should be prepared for Maria, the next storm to hit the islands after Irma.

Conditions are conducive for the storm to ramp up into a Category 2 hurricane as it crosses the Lesser Antilles into Tuesday. Maria will be the third tropical system to impact the area in two weeks, following major hurricanes Irma and Jose during the first week of September. While it is unlikely that the storm will reach Irma’s intense strength by the time it approaches, the brisk pace of the storm means there is little time for preparations to be completed on the islands. Seas will build along the east-facing beaches of the Leeward Islands as the strengthening storm approaches through Monday. Torrential rain and damaging winds will then increase into Tuesday.

Some of the islands that were largely spared from Irma’s wrath may take a direct hit from the storm, including Montserrat, Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Martinique.

Maria’s anticipated track would put much of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands in the path of severe rain and wind around midweek. By this time, Maria is expected to reach Category 3 intensity. Mudslides, flooding, power outages and structural damage are likely in these areas.

The Dominican Republic will be threatened with similar impacts later in the week.

Read full story at https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/tropical-storm-lee-forms-budding-maria-to-target-caribbean-islands/70002745