Tropical Storm Philippe threatens flash floods Monday in Leeward Islands, forecasters say

MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Philippe is threatening to unleash heavy rains and flash flooding in the Leeward Islands on Monday before eventually recurving out into the central Atlantic where it could gain hurricane status around midweek, forecasters say.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said at 5 a.m. Monday that Philippe was about 125 miles (200 kilometers) east-southeast of Barbuda. Top sustained winds were at 50 mph (85 kph) with higher gusts and Philippe was moving northwest at a slightly increased 7 mph (11 kph).

A tropical storm watch was in effect for Antigua and Barbuda. The hurricane center said interests in the northern Leeward Islands should monitor the storm’s progress as the center of Philippe was forecast to pass near or just northeast of the northern Leeward Islands on Monday.

A turn north-northwest was forecast to occur by late Tuesday and then northward on Wednesday.

Rainfall amounts expected through Tuesday include 4 to 6 inches (10.1 to 15.2 centimeters) for Barbuda and Antigua and 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10.1 centimeters) for the rest of the Leeward Islands, the hurricane center reported.

Heavy rainfall from Philippe also could produce isolated to scattered flash flooding across Barbuda and Antigua through Tuesday, according to the advisory.

Forecasters said strong wind shear is expected to stop any strengthening by Philippe in coming days but shifting conditions could allow it to become a hurricane later in the week as it curves out into the central subtropical Atlantic.