LOCATION: 17.7 degrees north, 69.4 degrees west
DISTANCE: ABOUT 65 MILES SSE OF Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic  
MOVEMENT: WEST-NORTHWEST AT18 MPH 
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS: 50 MPH
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE: 1008MB

The Antigua/Barbuda Meteorological Service has discontinued the Tropical Storm Warning for the British Virgin Islands. However, a marine warning remains in place for small craft operators and sea bathers. 

At 11:00 a.m., the centre of Tropical Storm Erika was located near latitude 17.7 degrees north, longitude 69.4 degrees west.  Erika is moving toward the west-northwest near 18 mph and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 48 hours.  On the forecast track, the centre of Erika will move over the Dominican Republic this afternoon, move near the Turks and Caicos Islands tonight, and move near the central and northwestern Bahamas Saturday and Saturday night.

Reports from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph with higher gusts.  Some weakening is forecast this afternoon and tonight as Erika moves over land, followed by little change in strength through Saturday night.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 150 miles to the east of the centre.  Punta Cana at the eastern end of the Dominican Republic recently reported a wind gust of 40 mph. 

The minimum central pressure based on Hurricane Hunter aircraft data is 1008 mb.

The British Virgin Islands will continue to experience unstable weather conditions as a result of Tropical Storm Erika. However, as the storm continues to move away from the local area, there will be a gradual return to normal weather. 

This will be final weather advisory from the National Emergency Operations Centre pertaining to Tropical Storm Erika. 

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Disclaimer: The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) is not an official Meteorological Office. The Information disseminated by the Department is gathered from a number of professional sources used or contracted by the DDM to provide such information. This information is to be used as a guide by anyone who has interest in local weather conditions. By no means can the DDM or the BVI Government be held accountable by anyone who uses this information appropriately for legal evidence or in justification of any decision which may result in the loss of finances, property or life.