Hurricane Lenny's path moved slightly to the right of predictions overnight, bringing the forecast center of the storm very close to St. Croix today, according to the 5 a.m. report from the National Weather Center.
In St. Thomas, steady rain overnight had increased to downpours punctuated by increasing winds gusts, thunder and lightening.
An observer on St. Croix recently reported 42 mph winds with gusts to 79 mph and the airport on St. Croix recently reported 40 mph winds with gusts to 54 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
A hurricane warning remains in effect for Puerto Rico and the U. S. and British Virgin Islands.
At 5 a.m. Wednesday the center of Hurricane Lenny was located near latitude 16.7 north, longitude 66.0 west or about 120 miles south of San Juan Puerto Rico. This is also about 105 miles southwest of St. Croix. Lenny is moving toward the east northeast near 14 mph and a gradual turn to the northeast is expected today.
Maximum sustained winds had increased overnight to 125 mph (205 km/hr) with higher gusts. Lenny is a dangerous category 3 hurricane on the Saffir/Simpson hurricane scale. Stronger winds could be experienced in mountainous areas and over unprotected south and west facing harbors.
Virgin Islands residents should expect conditions to worsen during the day.
Hurricane warning is also in effect for Dutch St. Maarten, French St. Martin, St. Barthelemey, Anguilla, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, Antigua and Barbuda.
For further information on Hurricane Lenny click on the rainbow icon at the top of the menu or click here.
Watch St. Thomas Source for updates on closings, openings and changes due to Hurricane Lenny.
