While the tropics seem to have quieted down after a busy September, an area oflow pressure is set to cause major problems for some islands of the Caribbeanover the next few days.AccuWeather.com Chief Hurricane Expert Joe Bastardi expects this system todevelop into Otto this week.
Regardless, people living or vacationing in Puerto Rico, the U.S. and BritishVirgin Islands, Hispaniola and the northern Leeward Islands will have to dealwith rounds of heavy rain and thunderstorms through at least the middle of theweek.
Flash flooding is likely to become a major problem as this system will have thepotential to unload 5 to 10 inches of rain in parts of these islands. Mudslideswill be an added threat in areas with steep terrain.
People in areas especially susceptible to flooding, such as along rivers andstreams, should be ready to take appropriate immediate action if floodingensues or a flash flood warning is issued.
The heaviest rain and most significant problems are currently expected to staynorth and east of earthquake-ravaged Haiti.
According to the AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center, the system as of Tuesdaymorning was still disorganized over the northeastern Caribbean and was beingaffected by wind shear (strong winds high in the atmosphere).
The feature is expected to head northwestward slowly over the next few dayswhere it should encounter weaker wind shear, which will open a window ofopportunity for tropical development. This seems most likely to happen once itmoves north of Hispaniola.
Fortunately for people along the east coast of the United States, this systemwill pull northeastward away from Hispaniola late this week and stay out to seathereafter.
By Heather Buchman, Meteorologist