THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY HAS ISSUED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FROM 5:25 AM EST UNTIL 7:25 AM MONDAY 23RD DECEMBER 2019.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR GRAND BAHAMA, BIMINI, THE BERRY ISLANDS, AND THEIR ADJACENT WATERS.

A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR ABACO, NORTH ANDROS, NEW PROVIDENCE AND THEIR COASTAL WATERS.

AT 5:25 AM LIGHTNING DETECTOR, RADAR AND SATELLITE IMAGERY DEPICTED A CLUSTER OF HEAVY SHOWERS AND STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ASSOCIATED WITH A FRONTAL BOUNDARY MOVING EASTWARDS, TOWARDS AND ACROSS THE WARNING AND WATCH AREAS.

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

BOATERS IN THE WARNING AND WATCH AREAS SHOULD SEEK SAFE HARBOUR AND RESIDENTS IN THE WARNING AREAS SHOULD STAY INDOORS AND AWAY FROM WINDOWS WHEN CONDITIONS WORSEN. RESIDENTS SHOULD NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER TREES OR IN WATER AS THESE CAN BECOME LIGHTNING CONDUCTORS.

RESIDENTS IN THE WATCH AREA SHOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THIS SYSTEM AND SEEK SHELTER AND REMAIN INDOORS WHEN CONDITIONS WORSEN.

ISSUED BY DUTY FORECASTER: IAN V. MCKENZIE