Tropical Storm Cristobal weakens into depression

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet) reported Thursday that Tropical Storm Cristobal has weakened into a   and is expected to dissipate later today.

The system was located about 980 kilometers west of the Azores, with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h, and was moving east at approximately 26 km/h. Indomet said Cristobal poses no threat to the Dominican Republic due to its location and trajectory.

Meanwhile, meteorologists are monitoring two tropical disturbances associated with tropical waves. One, located between the west coast of Africa and the Lesser Antilles, has an 80% chance of developing into a tropical cyclone within seven days. The second, several hundred kilometers south-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands, has a 30% chance of development within 48 hours and 50% within seven days.

Indomet said rainfall affecting the Caribbean coast and northeastern Dominican Republic is associated with a tropical wave and an upper-level trough. Downpours, thunderstorms and wind gusts are expected in several provinces, including Hato Mayor, Monte Plata, Sánchez Ramírez, La Vega, Duarte, Santiago Rodríguez, Dajabón and Monte Cristi, particularly in mountainous and border areas.

The National Forecast Center is maintaining a weather alert for Santo Domingo, the National District, San Cristóbal and Peravia due to the risk of urban flooding.