At 5 am, the center of Tropical Storm Maria was located near latitude 19.0 north, longitude 63.7 west or about 95 miles east northeast of St. Thomas.
In Dominica, showers and thunderstorms associated with Maria will continue to affect the island this morning with gradual improvement expected as the day progresses.
Maria is moving toward the northwest near 13 mph and this motion is expected to continue during the next day or two. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 60mph with higher gusts. These winds are occuring over water to the north and east of the center. No significant change in strength is anticipated during the next day or two.
Maria is expected to gradually move away from the extreme northeastern Caribbean today. However, sea swells across the northern and eastern coasts of the islands will continue to be above normal. Mean while rain bands from Maria will continue to affect the islands of the Lesser Antilles today with most intense rainfall occurring over the northern Leeward Islands.
A tropical wave is located about 1000 miles east of the Lesser Antilles. Cloudiness and showers associated with this system have decreased over the past several hours. Upper level winds are not favourable for the development of this wave and has a low chance (10%) of becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours.
EVERYBODY,Pray,pray, pray nothing else will work at this time.