UPDATE 2: TS Chris Weakens

Miami’s National Hurricane Center reports that tropical storm Chris is “weakening in a hurry.” That’s good news for a number of Caribbean Islands, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgins, where storm warnings have been discontinued. Other islands have called off a hurricane watch, but tropical storm warnings remain in effect.

The NHC bulletin notes: “Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 45 mph/75 km/hr. with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 24 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 80-miles/130 km from the center. The latest minimum central pressure reported by an air force reconnaissance plane was 1010 mb/29.83 inches.

“Chris is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 3 to 5 inches with isolated totals of 10 inches over the higher elevations of Puerto Rico. Total rainfall of 2 to 4 inches is possible over the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic, with possible isolated maximum amounts of 6 inches through today.”

The NHC will continue to follow Chris’ progress as it moves towards Cuba and the Gulf of Mexico, but, barring a change in direction and renewed strength, the storm does not appear to pose a present threat to the U.S. mainland.