Tropical Storm Bret Weakening as it Moves Away from Lesser Antilles

MIAMI, Florida – Tropical Storm Bret is pulling away from the Lesser Antilles on Friday with maximum sustained winds of 60 miles per hour (mph) with several countries, including Dominica, St. Lucia and Martinique, discontinuing warning and watches for their respective countries.

However, a Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, given that the second named storm of the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane season is situated 160 miles west of Kingstown.

According to the NHC in its latest weather bulletin at 8.00 am (local time), the center of Tropical Storm Bret is located near latitude 13.4 North, longitude 63.6 West.

“Bret is moving toward the west near 18 mph and this general motion is expected to continue through the weekend.  On the forecast track, the center of Bret will continue moving westward away from the Windward Islands and across the eastern and central Caribbean Sea during the next couple of days.

“Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph with higher gusts. Weakening is forecast during the next couple of days, and Bret is expected to dissipate over the central Caribbean Sea by Saturday night or Sunday.”

The NHC said the maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph with higher gusts, but that weakening is forecast during the next couple of days. It said Bret is expected to dissipate over the central Caribbean Sea by Saturday night or Sunday.

Bret is still capable of producing total rainfall amounts of three to six inches with

maximum amounts of 10 inches are possible across portions of the Lesser Antilles from Guadeloupe south through St. Vincent and the Grenadines, including Barbados.

“The heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding, especially across areas of higher terrain. Urban flooding is also possible,” the NHC said, adding that swells generated by Bret are expected to begin subsiding along the Lesser Antilles through the day.

“ Swells are likely to increase in areas adjacent to the central Caribbean Sea later today and on Sunday.  These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.”

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Sandy is gradually strengthening and is located 990 miles east of the Lesser Antilles.

The NHC said there are no coastal watches or warning in effect.