Tropical Storm Fay Forms

Sixth Atlantic Storm of the Season

A low pressure area over the Mona Passage became a tropical storm as it moved into the Eastern Dominican Republic, NOAA reported.

Fay is expected to track westward in the direction of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.

[Aug 17, 2008 Update: TROPICAL STORM FAY INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NO. 7A]

Tropical Storm Fay – Tropical Storm Floater Imagery (updated periodically) – Aviation color enhancement – NOAA

At 5 pm AST (21:00 UTC) the government of the Dominican Republic issued a tropical storm warning for the Dominican Republic for The entire north coast of the Dominican Republic and for the south coast east of San Pedro de Macoris. A tropical storm warning is Also in effect for the north coast of Haiti from Gonaives
Northward.

At 5 pm AST (21:00 UTC) The government of Cuba issued a tropical storm warning for the provinces of Guantanamo, Santiago De Cuba and Granma, as well as for the provinces of Holguin and Las Tunas.

A Tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area generally within 36 hours.

At 500 pm AST the center of tropical storm Fay was located near latitude 18.5 North, longitude 69.4 West or about 35 miles (55 km) east of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and about 395 miles (635 km) east-southeast of Guantanamo Cuba.

Fay is moving toward the west near 14 mph (22 km/hr). A general motion toward the west-northwest is expected during the next day. On the forecast track the center of Fay will cross Hispaniola tonight and Saturday and pass near or over eastern Cuba Saturday night and Sunday.

Coastal Watches/Warnings and 5-Day Track Forecast Cone (NHC/NOAA)

Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 km/hr) with higher gusts, mainly over water to the north and east of the center. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 24 hours.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 85 miles (140 km) from the center.

Estimated minimum central pressure is 1008 MB (29.77 inches).

Tides of 1 to 2 feet above normal can be expected in the warning area in areas of onshore flow.

Fay is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 4 to 8 Inches over Hispaniola and eastern Cuba with isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches. These rains may produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. – Forecaster Beven [Tropical Storm FAY Public Advisory #1]