Tropical Storm Bret, which developed earlier Monday, is a very small and compact tropical storm with winds extending only 75 km from the centre.
The centre of the system was located near 11.3N 42.2W or about 1 170 miles/1 883 km east of Barbados at 5 p.m. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 40 mph or 65km/h. Present movement is towards the west or 280 degrees at 21 mph or 33km/h.
Tropical Storm Bret is forecast to steadily intensify over the next few days and is likely to become a category 1 Hurricane by the time it reaches the northern Windwards/Leewards. On its current forecast track, the centre of the system is expected to pass 160km/100 miles to the north of Barbados sometime during Thursday night.
The Met Office says, however, there is still some considerable uncertainty in the forecast track and forward speed as Bret approaches the islands of the Eastern Caribbean.
A second area of interest is also developing in the far Eastern Atlantic. The area of disturbed weather is positioned between 28W through 31W and from 6N through 12 N.
Disorganised shower activity associated with this area of interest in the far Eastern Atlantic is closely being monitored by the BMS. Environmental conditions are expected to be marginally conducive to the slow development of this system later this week as the system tracks westward at 10 to 15mph.
There are no watches or warnings in effect for Barbados. (PR/SAT)