The Tribune

WHAT was once Tropical Storm Gabrielle and the system's associated moisture will continue to move slowly toward the north-northwest Caribbean through Saturday.

Gabrielle weakened Thursday midday, but there are still copious amounts of moisture with the system across the eastern Caribbean, according to AccuWeather forecasters.

There will be numerous showers and thunderstorms with the system and behind it, bringing the risk of flash flooding and locally strong gusty winds.

On Thursday Gabrielle was downgraded to a tropical depression and by 11pm, the system was no longer a tropical cyclone. It is not likely to become a hurricane.

The area from the Windward and Leeward islands to the British and US Virgin Islands has been subject to locally heavy showers and gusty thunderstorms since the start of the week.

"The mountainous terrain of Puerto Rico and Hispaniola is likely to interfere with the circulation of the system and is likely to hinder redevelopment," said AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski.

A second disturbance in the vicinity could unfold into an organized tropical system next week, north of the Caribbean islands.

Indications are that during next week, disruptive westerly winds in the atmosphere may continue to limit development of Gabrielle or the other disturbance tagging along.

While there are some factors that will limit the intensity of this system, people should continue to monitor its progress as occasionally tropical systems can pulse.

Other systems are being monitored in the Atlantic Basin, including the train of disturbances moving off the coast of Africa.