Tropical Storm Kirk projected to hit Barbados Thursday

MIAMI, Florida- After deteriorating earlier in the week, last night Kirk strengthened and became a tropical storm, moving speedily toward the Northern Windward Islands, according to the National Hurricane Centre report at 8 a.m.

"Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 80 miles per hour (130 km/h) with higher gusts, and rapid strengthening is forecast to continue through tonight". Tropical storm-force winds are blowing as far as 140 miles from Kirk's center.

Meanwhile, Kirk has restrengthened into a tropical storm, and tropical storm warnings and watches have been issued for portions of the Lesser Antilles.

Tropical Storm Kirk is slated to approach the Lesser Antilles on Sep. Kirk was moving west at 18 miles per hour.

On Tuesday, Tropical Storm Rosa formed off the Pacific Coast. The minimum pressure is 1,002 mb.

Tropical Storm Kirk is on a path to dump heavy rains that could bring unsafe flooding to the eastern Caribbean, forecasters said.

The upper-level winds are extremely hostile ahead, however, and Kirk is expected weaken and eventually die in the Caribbean Sea. It could regain sub-tropical storm status later this week. "Rapid weakening is expected on Friday after Kirk moves over the eastern Caribbean Sea". Rainfall totals from four to six inches, with isolated totals up to 10 inches, are possible through Friday from Barbados and St. Lucia northward across Martinique, Dominica, and Guadeloupe. The NHC is giving post-tropical cyclone Leslie a 50% chance of tropical or subtropical development in the next two days, and a 90% chance over the next five days. These rains may produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides on the islands.