Travel Alert August 2019: Tropical Storm Dorian to Impact Eastern Caribbean
If the eastern Caribbean is in your travel plans over the next few days, you may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information pertaining to the weather — due to Tropical Storm Dorian, of which landfall of what is forecast to be a tropical storm could possible occur in the Lesser Antilles as early as later tonight, Monday, August 26, 2019.
Travel Alert August 2019: Tropical Storm Dorian to Impact Eastern Caribbean
Source: National Hurricane Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States.
Maximum sustained winds of this storm — which is currently centered approximately 60 miles southeast of Barbados and is moving west northwest at approximately 14 miles per hour — are 60 miles per hour, which means that this storm is a strong tropical storm. Strengthening to a Category 1 hurricane prior to landfall is not out of the question but is probable after Tropical Storm Dorian passes the Lesser Antilles.
A tropical storm warning has been issued for Barbados, Martinique, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; while a tropical storm watch has been issued for Dominica, Grenada, Saba and Saint Eustatius, and Puerto Rico. A hurricane watch has been issued for Saint Lucia in the Windward Islands.
As much as five inches of rain could fall in local areas within the path of this storm — especially in Barbados.
The storm may reach South Florida as soon as Saturday evening, August 31, 2019; but it is forecast to be a tropical storm by then.
Flight Waivers, Delays and Cancellations
If you are traveling to the eastern Caribbean over the next few days, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to this tropical weather system which may adversely affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.
If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary. If you are driving in any of these areas, watch out for deteriorating weather conditions and traffic problems.
Here are seven airlines which have issued travel alerts — or are at least monitoring the storm — as a result of this tropical weather system:
- American Airlines has issued travel alerts for ten airports in six countries and territories for Monday, August 26, 2019 through Thursday, August 29, 2019; and Thursday, September 5, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Delta Air Lines has issued travel alerts for six airports in four countries and territories for Monday, August 26, 2019 through Thursday, August 29, 2019; and Thursday, September 5, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Southwest Airlines has issued travel alerts for Providenciales, Punta Cana and San Juan for Monday, August 26, 2019 through Friday, August 30, 2019; and Friday, September 13, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- JetBlue Airways has issued travel alerts for Aguadilla, Ponce and San Juan for Wednesday, August 28, 2019 through Thursday, August 29, 2019; and Saturday, August 31, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Frontier Airlines has issued travel alerts for Punta Cana and San Juan for Monday, August 26, 2019 through Friday, August 30, 2019; and Friday, September 23, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Spirit Airways has issued travel alerts for six airports in three countries and territories for Tuesday, August 27, 2019 through Friday, August 30, 2019; and Thursday, September 5, 2019 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Air Canada has issued travel alerts for:
- Bridgetown for Monday, August 26, 2019 through Tuesday, August 27, 2019.
- Puerto Plata and Punta Cana for Wednesday, August 28, 2019.
Summary
Expect more travel alerts to be issued by more airlines for more areas of the Caribbean as this tropical system progresses over the coming days.
Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.
Source: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the Department of Commerce of the United States.
