TS Karl weakens to a tropical depression
With Tropical Depression Karl still a “potential threat” to Bermuda, the Emergency Measures Organisation is set to meet today.
The system, which weakened from a tropical storm yesterday, is expected to strengthen again in the coming days.
According to the Bermuda Weather Service’s 6pm update, Karl was around 704 nautical miles south-southeast of the island and moving west at about 12mph.
While the storm last night had maximum sustained winds of 35mph, it is expected to pass the island as a tropical storm on Saturday morning. The BWS is still listing the storm as a potential threat, with the system’s closest point of approach in the next 72 hours forecast to be 149nm to the southeast at 9am on Saturday.
The US-based National Hurricane Centre is estimating the island has about a 20 to 30 per cent chance of experiencing tropical storm-force winds within the next five days, but a less than 5 per cent chance of facing hurricane-strength winds during the same period.
Responding to the 6pm advisory, Jeffrey Baron, the Minister of National Security, said: “Although Karl has been downgraded to a tropical depression, forecasters indicate that it remains a potential threat to Bermuda. The BWS updates the forecast every six hours and so I would recommend that residents continue to watch the development of this system.
“The Emergency Measures Organisation is set to meet tomorrow afternoon and further advisories as necessary will be issued after that meeting and based on subsequent forecasts.”
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Lisa was around 1,926nm from the island at 6pm and is not considered a threat to the island.
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