Hurricane Epsilon to generate large swells but no direct hit to The Bahamas

Hurricane Epsilon to generate large swells but no direct hit to The Bahamas

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — While Hurricane Epsilon is expected to generate large wave swells, the storm will not directly impact The Bahamas, according to the Bahamas Department of Meteorology.

The country has been experiencing a cold front over the past few days, resulting in flooding in parts of New Providence including South Beach and Pinewood.

“We have some mid to upper level trophic over the northwest Bahamas,” said Meteorologist Kaylinda Ward-Forbes.

“And we also have some trophic in the southeast Bahamas, as well as in the lower levels and combined with some tropical moisture that is streaming across the area that is creating this wet pattern that we have today.

“So we expect to have rainfall for most of the day, into tonight, with some clearing into the wee hours of the morning into tomorrow.

“We still expect some of the cloudiness to be over us tomorrow but with much less rainfall.”

Ward-Forbes noted that warnings were issued for long-period waves generating swells and impacting marine conditions.

Boaters were advised to remain near shore.

Swells generated by the storm were expected to be between nine – 10 feet.

These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Hurricane Epsilon is currently in the Central Atlantic just a few hundred miles to the southeast of Bermuda.

A tropical storm warning is in effect for that country.

The hurricane is forecast to turn toward the north-northwest or north by Thursday night and pose no threat to any landmass.

While Epsilon poses no threat to The Bahamas, a disturbance near Cuba is producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms.

Any development of that system is expected to be slow over the next several days as its system passes near western or central Cuba, the Florida Straits, and The Bahamas.

There is a 20 percent chance of development over the next five days.

Regardless of development, heavy rainfall is possible in those areas and South Florida at times through the weekend.

About Sloan Smith

Sloan Smith is a senior digital reporter at Eyewitness News, covering a diverse range of beats, from politics and crime to environment and human interest. In 2018, Sloan received a nomination for the “Leslie Higgs Feature Writer of The Year Award” from The Bahamas Press Club for her work with Eyewitness News.