SOURCE: NOAA – Tropical Storm Bret is rapidly approaching Barbados, and portions of the Lesser Antilles are expected to experience heavy rain and strong winds later today and tonight.

The government of Barbados has upgraded the Tropical Storm Watch to a Tropical Storm Warning for Barbados and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

A Hurricane Watch remains in effect for St. Lucia.

Other areas in the Lesser Antilles are advised to closely monitor the progress of Bret as additional watches or warnings may be issued.

At 200 PM AST, the center of Tropical Storm Bret was located near latitude 13.4 North and longitude 58.9 West.

The storm is moving west at 14 mph and is expected to pass through the Lesser Antilles before moving westward across the eastern and central Caribbean Sea.

Maximum sustained winds are currently near 65 mph with gradual weakening anticipated in the next couple of days.

The system is likely to dissipate over the central Caribbean Sea by Saturday night or early Sunday.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles from the center.

Residents are advised to stay informed about the storm’s progress through national meteorological services.