Tropical Storm Dolly forms in Atlantic; no alert for Aruba needed

ORANJESTAD – Tropical Storm Dolly has formed over the central tropical Atlantic and is moving rapidly westward, but there are currently no watches or warnings in effect for Aruba.

According to the latest information from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Dolly was located near latitude 13.6 North and longitude 38.7 West, approximately 2,505 kilometers east of the Leeward Islands. The system has maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h and is moving west at a relatively fast 39 km/h.

The NHC expects Dolly to continue moving west during the next couple of days and approach the Leeward Islands over the weekend.

The current forecast, however, is relatively favorable. Little change in strength is expected during the next 48 hours, and Dolly is forecast to lose its tropical-storm characteristics and degenerate into a tropical wave before reaching the Leeward Islands.

For Aruba, this means that there is currently no indication of a direct impact and no tropical alert has been issued. Aruba is also not among the areas currently identified by the NHC as being at risk of heavy rainfall from Dolly.

Heavy rain could begin affecting the Leeward Islands late Saturday into Sunday, followed by the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Hispaniola from Sunday into Monday. In some areas, particularly higher terrain, the rainfall could produce flash flooding.

Although the current forecast calls for Dolly to weaken before reaching the eastern Caribbean, tropical systems can change in track and intensity. Authorities are therefore advising interests in the Leeward Islands to continue monitoring the storm.

For Aruba, the situation at this stage calls for monitoring rather than alarm.