Tropical Storm Bret Expected To Hit Some Lesser Antilles Islands Tonight

Some islands in the Lesser Antilles are expected to be hit this evening by Tropical Storm Bret with strong winds and heavy rain of up to 10 inches, while forecasters have urged residents of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to closely monitor the storm and be prepared.

A tropical storm warning is in effect today, June 22, in Barbados, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Martinique. 

St. Lucia and Martinique have issued hurricane alerts.

The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Bret on Thursday afternoon was about 45 miles east of Barbados, moving west at 14 miles per hour toward the eastern and central Caribbean Sea.

The storm also had maximum sustained winds near 65 m.p.h. with higher gusts. 

Bret formed on Monday as the second named storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, and may bring the risk of flooding from heavy rainfall, strong winds and dangerous waves, according to the National Hurricane Center.

It is unclear which islands will receive the worst impact. Schools, government buildings, businesses and airports were closed in some islands and residents have been urged to stay at home after 6 p.m.

Additionally, Tropical Depression Four, has formed early Thursday morning to the east of Bret.

According to forecasters, this is the first time in recorded history that two tropical cyclones have formed east of the Lesser Antilles in the tropical Atlantic during the month of June. 

Tropical storms earn a name once they have sustained winds of 39 m.p.h. 

Tropical Storm Bret is expected to weaken and likely dissipate on Saturday, June 23.

The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season started on June 1 and will run until  November 30 .