As tropical Storm Bret continues to hover over the Lesser Antilles.
The Meteorological Office at the Maurice Bishop International Airport informed the National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) that the weather forecast for Grenada is partly cloudy to cloudy with light to moderate showers, increasing in cloudiness as the time progresses with moderate to heavy showers, lightning, and thunder tonight.
According to the release Grenada is NOT under a Tropical Storm Watch or Warning at this time!
On the forecast track, the center of Bret is expected to move across the Lesser Antilles this evening and tonight, and then move westward across the eastern and central Caribbean Sea tomorrow and Saturday.
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for St. Lucia, and a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Dominica and Martinique.
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Barbados and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
At 2pm the center of Tropical Storm Bret was located near latitude 13.4 North, Longitude 58.9 West or 40 Nautical Miles ENE of Barbados moving West at 9 knot.
Some parts of Barbados earlier today began feeling the effect of the storm.
Acting Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw issued a statement.
Recent satellite imagery indicates that westerly wind shear has increased over Bret and most of the deep convection is located over the eastern quadrant.
Meanwhile the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has ordered that only essential services should operate as of 6 p.m. today, as Tropical Storm Bret could impact the country within the next 24 hours.
Acting Prime Minister Montgomery Daniel announced that the government has ordered a full shutdown, which includes businesses, which will take effect at 6 this evening.
Daniel says only essential services such as police, health services, and utilities will report for work under the instructions of their departments.
The government has ordered that all emergency shelters be opened and Daniel said that the National Emergency Operations Centre would be fully activated at 6 this evening.
He said that residents and motorists in areas prone to flooding and landslides or near rivers and streams should be prepared.
At the moment Grenada and its dependencies are NOT under a storm watch or warning.
The Meteorological Office and NaDMA say they will continue to monitor Tropical Storm Bret and provide updates.
