The Bahamas Department of Meteorology has issued a Severe Weather Warning Watch from 3:00 PM EST UNTIL 5:00 PM EST WEDNESDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 2019.

A SEVERE WEATHER WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR BIMINI, GRAND BAHAMA, NORTH ABACO AND THEIR ADJACENT WATERS WHILE A WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR NORTH AND CENTRAL ANDROS, BERRY ISLANDS, CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN ABACO AND NEW PROVIDENCE.

AT 3:00PM OBSERVATION, LIGHTNING DETECTOR, RADAR AND SATELLITE IMAGERY DEPICTED CLUSTERS OF THUNDERSTORMS ASSOCIATED WITH A COLD FRONT MOVING ACROSS BIMINI, GRAND BAHAMA, NORTH ABACO AND TOWARDS NORTH AND CENTRAL ANDROS, THE BERRY ISLANDS, CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN ABACO AND NEW PROVIDENCE.

SOME OF THESE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE SEVERE AT TIMES CAUSING STRONG GUSTY WINDS, DANGEROUS LIGHTNING, HEAVY DOWNPOURS, HAIL AND POSSIBLE WATERSPOUT OR TORNADIC ACTIVITY.

BOATERS IN THE WARNING AREAS SHOULD SEEK SAFE HARBOUR AND RESIDENTS IN THE WARNING AREAS SHOULD STAY INDOORS AND AWAY FROM WINDOWS WHEN CONDITIONS WORSEN.

BOATERS AND RESIDENTS IN THE WATCH AREAS SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE QUICK ACTION SHOULD CONDITIONS WORSEN. RESIDENTS SHOULD NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER TREES OR IN WATER AS THESE CAN BECOME LIGHTNING CONDUCTORS.

ISSUED BY DUTY FORECASTER: PATRICIA WEEKS