Bermuda braces for rain, wind and pounding surf from Jerry
By
Renee Duff, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Sep 21, 2019 10:08 AM EDT
Tropical Storm Jerry will track close enough to Bermuda to deliver a period of soaking rainfall, gusty winds and rough seas into midweek.
This image, taken on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 24, 2019, shows Jerry well east of the United States, but approaching Bermuda waters. (NOAA/GOES-East).
Jerry weakened from a Category 1 hurricane to a tropical storm early Saturday morning while passing a few hundred miles to the north of the northern Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
A cold front that swept off the East Coast of the United States on Monday night will pull the tropical system northeastward.
While this anticipated turn spared the United States from direct impacts, Jerry's projected path will put the storm on a close encounter with Bermuda.
"Jerry's forward speed has slowed and the storm should pass just north and west of Bermuda on Wednesday," AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said.
"Strong wind shear will continue to deform Jerry and prevent it from becoming a hurricane for the balance of this week," Kottlowski said.
"Bermuda can experience near hurricane-force winds, soaking rain and rough surf as a result of Jerry," AccuWeather Meteorologist Mary Gilbert said.
Jerry is expected to bring 1-3 inches (25 to 75 millimeters) of rain to the islands with urban and minor coastal flooding likely.
Just this past week, former Major Hurricane Humberto unleashed fierce winds as it passed just to the north of Bermuda.
Bermuda's building codes require dwellings to withstand sustained wind speeds of 110 mph (177 km/h), which is the equivalent of a high-end Category 2 hurricane. A majority of properties are made of stone and mortar.
As a result, structural damage is unlikely to occur with Jerry, even with its projected path very close to Bermuda.
However, gusty winds can toss around loose items like toys and cause them to become potentially deadly projectiles. Isolated power outages and tree damage may also occur.
Residents should make sure to secure or safely house any outdoor furniture, planters or decorative items ahead of Jerry's arrival.
Waterspouts can occur within Jerry's rain bands.
Large swells generated by Jerry will bring rough and dangerous surf to Bermuda through Wednesday. Rip currents will be strong and numerous.
The rain and wind could hinder any continued recovery efforts from Humberto, according to Gilbert.
Conditions will dramatically improve across Bermuda later Wednesday as Jerry gets swept northeastward.
In the wake of Jerry, several other tropical disturbances are being closely monitored across the Atlantic basin, including Karen.
Download the free AccuWeather app to stay alert of tropical weather advisories. Keep checking back for updates on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo
News / Weather News
Bermuda braces for rain, wind and pounding surf from Jerry
By Renee Duff, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Sep 21, 2019 10:08 AM EDT
Tropical Storm Jerry will track close enough to Bermuda to deliver a period of soaking rainfall, gusty winds and rough seas into midweek.
This image, taken on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 24, 2019, shows Jerry well east of the United States, but approaching Bermuda waters. (NOAA/GOES-East).
Jerry weakened from a Category 1 hurricane to a tropical storm early Saturday morning while passing a few hundred miles to the north of the northern Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
A cold front that swept off the East Coast of the United States on Monday night will pull the tropical system northeastward.
While this anticipated turn spared the United States from direct impacts, Jerry's projected path will put the storm on a close encounter with Bermuda.
"Jerry's forward speed has slowed and the storm should pass just north and west of Bermuda on Wednesday," AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said.
"Strong wind shear will continue to deform Jerry and prevent it from becoming a hurricane for the balance of this week," Kottlowski said.
"Bermuda can experience near hurricane-force winds, soaking rain and rough surf as a result of Jerry," AccuWeather Meteorologist Mary Gilbert said.
Jerry is expected to bring 1-3 inches (25 to 75 millimeters) of rain to the islands with urban and minor coastal flooding likely.
Just this past week, former Major Hurricane Humberto unleashed fierce winds as it passed just to the north of Bermuda.
Related:
Bermuda's building codes require dwellings to withstand sustained wind speeds of 110 mph (177 km/h), which is the equivalent of a high-end Category 2 hurricane. A majority of properties are made of stone and mortar.
As a result, structural damage is unlikely to occur with Jerry, even with its projected path very close to Bermuda.
However, gusty winds can toss around loose items like toys and cause them to become potentially deadly projectiles. Isolated power outages and tree damage may also occur.
Residents should make sure to secure or safely house any outdoor furniture, planters or decorative items ahead of Jerry's arrival.
Waterspouts can occur within Jerry's rain bands.
Large swells generated by Jerry will bring rough and dangerous surf to Bermuda through Wednesday. Rip currents will be strong and numerous.
The rain and wind could hinder any continued recovery efforts from Humberto, according to Gilbert.
Conditions will dramatically improve across Bermuda later Wednesday as Jerry gets swept northeastward.
In the wake of Jerry, several other tropical disturbances are being closely monitored across the Atlantic basin, including Karen.
Download the free AccuWeather app to stay alert of tropical weather advisories. Keep checking back for updates on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
Report a Typo