Tropical storm threatens Bahamas

A tropical storm warning is in effect for some of the islands.

NASSAU, Bahamas, Monday July 18, 2011 - Grand Bahama Island and the Abaco Islands in the northwest Bahamas are under a tropical storm warning as Tropical Storm Bret - the second storm of the Atlantic Season and the first to threaten the Caribbean - strengthened after forming yesterday.

Tropical Storm Bret was this morning carrying maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour and some additional strengthening is expected over the next two days.

It was centered 65 miles northwest of Great Abaco Island and is expected to move north-northeastward later today.

"On the forecast track, the centre of Bret will begin moving away from the northwest Bahamas later today," the 8 am bulletin from the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said.

Bret could bring up to four inches of rainfall over the northwest Bahamas.

The NHC also warned that high surf conditions can be expected along northern and western facing beaches in the northwest Bahamas throughout the day.

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