The National Hurricane Center reported Friday morning that Tropical Storm Dolly is traveling westward at roughly 24 mph with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. While the system still meets the criteria for a tropical storm, satellite imagery shows it beginning to lose its classic spiral shape.
Dry air and strong upper‑level winds hinder development
Experts attribute the weakening to a combination of dry air entrainment and strong upper‑level winds that are disrupting the storm’s core. Those hostile conditions, together with Dolly’s rapid forward motion, are expected to cause the cyclone to gradually degenerate into an open trough of low pressure before it reaches the Lesser Antilles this weekend.
“All of the reliable models show the storm gradually losing strength and degenerating into a trough of low pressure before it reaches the Lesser Antilles,” the Hurricane Center stated in its advisory.
Residual moisture will still bring rain and gusty winds
Even if Dolly falls apart, the lingering moisture will continue to move westward, bringing periods of heavy rain to parts of the Caribbean. The Leeward Islands could see significant rainfall beginning late Saturday and continuing into Sunday, raising the risk of flash flooding in higher elevations and mountainous terrain.
Moisture and gusty winds are also expected to affect the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Hispaniola through Sunday and Monday. Residents in those areas should remain alert for sudden downpours and brief periods of stronger winds as the remnants of Dolly pass overhead.
What the public can do
Local authorities in the Caribbean are urging residents to monitor updates from their national weather services, secure outdoor items that could become projectiles, and avoid low‑lying areas prone to flash flooding. Travelers planning to visit the region this weekend should stay informed about any changes to the storm’s track and intensity.
As the system continues its westward trek, forecasters will keep a close eye on any re‑intensification that could occur if Dolly encounters more favorable conditions. For now, the consensus among meteorologists is that the storm will lose its organized structure before making landfall, reducing the threat of a major tropical‑storm impact on the islands.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
