At 5 p.m. AST, the center of Tropical Depression Thirteen was located over the Atlantic Ocean about 615 miles (990 km) east of the northern Leeward Islands. It’s moving toward the west-northwest near 21 mph (33 km/h) and this motion is expected to continue for the next few days. On the forecast track, the depression is expected to move near or north of the northern Leeward Islands by late Friday, near or north of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Saturday, and near or north of Hispaniola Saturday night.

Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is forecast to occur, and the depression is expected to become a tropical storm on Friday.

The depression is also expected to produce 1 to 3 inches of rain with isolated maximum totals of 5 inches over the northern Leeward Islands, and maximum totals of 3 to 6 inches over Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands through Sunday.

The details of the long-range track and intensity forecasts are more uncertain than usual since the system could move over portion of the Greater Antilles this weekend. However, this system could bring some storm surge, rainfall and wind impacts to portions of Hispaniola, Cuba, the Bahamas, and Florida this weekend and early next week. Interests there should monitor this system’s progress and updates to the forecast over the next few days.

The next complete advisory will be issued by NHC at 11 p.m. AST with an intermediate advisory at 8 p.m. AST - www.hurricanes.gov

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