Tropical Storm Bret strengthens as it heads west toward Caribbean islands

Tropical Storm Bret has strengthened as it continues to head west across the tropical Atlantic Ocean, and it is expected to move across portions of the Caribbean islands after sunset on Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

As a result, the NHC has issued Tropical Storm Watches for Barbados, Dominica, Martinique, and St. Lucia.

A watch is issued when tropical storm-force winds (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are possible within the next 48 hours. These alerts can be upgraded to Tropical Storm Warnings when those conditions are expected within 36 hours.

Additional watches or warnings will likely be required for portions of the Caribbean islands on Wednesday, the NHC said.

According to long-term averages from the NHC, the season’s first named storm doesn’t typically form until June 20, while the second named storm doesn’t usually develop until July 17, so the Atlantic is off to a fast start this year.

Where is Tropical Storm Bret?

As of Wednesday morning, Tropical Storm Bret was located in the tropical Atlantic about 500 miles east of Barbados.

Bret has maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and is moving west at about 16 mph.

The Hurricane Hunters are scheduled to begin investigating Tropical Storm Bret on Wednesday afternoon.

What is the forecast for Tropical Storm Bret?

The NHC says some additional strengthening is possible before Tropical Storm Bret reaches the Caribbean late Thursday, but it’s no longer expected to become a hurricane.

Computer forecast models show rainbands could start impacting the islands late Wednesday, with the worst weather anticipated on Thursday and Friday.

The FOX Forecast Center said heavy rainfall and landslides could be some of the biggest impacts besides wind gusts that could reach at least 65 mph.

Between 3 and 6 inches of rain, with isolated amounts of up to 10 inches, is possible through Saturday across portions of the Caribbean islands from Guadeloupe south to Grenada, including Barbados.

The heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding, especially across areas of higher terrain. Isolated urban flooding is also possible.

Satellite images combined with those from the NASA GOES satellite show a more hostile environment to the north and west of Tropical Storm Bret.

The GFS computer model suggests that the dry air ahead of Bret will lead to a lopsided appearance on Wednesday as showers and thunderstorms become stifled on the western front of the storm, according to the FOX Forecast Center.