Tropical Depression 7 fell apart by the time the National Hurricane Center issued its 11 a.m. update Saturday, but the territory will still get some rain and wind from its remnants as it moves in a westerly direction at 20 mph.
“Expect squally weather with passing rain and gusty winds,” meteorologist Ernesto Rodriquez said around 5 p.m. Saturday at the National Weather Service.
Friday forecasters thought TD 7 would become Tropical Storm Gordon, but the weather system had a mind of its own. The system will pass as a tropical wave south of St. Croix starting Sunday afternoon. The big island will see sustained winds of 20 mph with gusts around 30 mph. St. Thomas and St. John will see winds of 15 to 18 mph with gusts also reaching 30 mph, Rodriquez said.
The forecaster said rain will come in occasional downpours as the outer bands of the system pass over the area. Rodriquez said the weather should start to clear by Monday morning or afternoon. Seas will reach six to eight feet on St. Croix and five to seven feet Sunday morning through Monday, he said.
As for the rest of the Atlantic Ocean, Rodriquez said a system near the Cape Verde Islands has weakened and will head northwest over the open waters of the Atlantic. He said it won’t pose any problems for the territory.
The mid-September height of hurricane season is approaching and several waves now over Africa are starting their westward journey.
Hurricane season officially ends Nov. 30.
