NHC: Fred Makes Landfall In Dominican Republic

Daytona Beach, FL – After developing into a tropical storm last night, Fred begins to make landfall in the Dominican Republic. Forecasters from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) say the system should continue to move on a northwesterly heading with a gradual decrease in forward speed for the next two to three days. As of Wednesday (August 11) morning, wind speeds were reported to be around 40 mph as the system’s pressure remains stagnant at 1,009 mb. At the 72 hours mark, Fred should begin to turn to the right as it nears the southern tip of the Florida Peninsula and the Florida Keys. During the next three to five days a generally northwestward track, toward a weakness in the ridge, is likely. Meteorologists predict that the cyclone will soon begin to interact with the land mass of Hispaniola, which should cause some weakening later today and tonight. By early Thursday morning (August 12), it’s believed that Fred will be at tropical depression strength again before strengthening back into a tropical storm as it passes between Cuba and the Bahamas. Tropical storm warnings continue for most of the Dominican Republic as tropical storm watches are in effect for Haiti and portions of the Bahamas. Tropical storm warnings for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands have since been rescinded. At this time, no watches or warnings are in effect for the State of Florida.