The National Hurricane Center says a tropical depression that has formed in the Atlantic Monday has maximum sustained winds near 35 mph (55 kph) and is expected to strengthen in the next 48 hours.
It could be a tropical storm by Monday night or Tuesday.
The depression is located about 1,365 miles east of the Lesser Antilles and is moving west-northwest at 17 mph.
First Alert Chief Meteorologist Ed Piotrowski has posted the following discussion on the storm:
INTENSITY
The tropics are ramping up right on cue. 95% of all tropical storm and hurricanes occur after August 1st so it's no wonder the broad area of low pressure over the open Atlantic is taking center stage. Thunderstorms are slowly becoming more concentrated and with warm water (85F) and low to moderate wind shear (5 -15 kts). Beyond the middle of the week, forecast models indicate an upper level low pressure system at about 25,000 feet, north of Hispaniola, may increase the wind shear, weakening whatever could become of this system. Keep in mind, forecasting the intensity of a tropical system is among the most difficult challenges in the field of meteorology.
TRACK
Whatever becomes of this system will be steered on a general west to west/northwest track bringing it north of the Lesser Antilles by Friday. From there, many of the long range models show two huge high pressure systems spanning North America and the Atlantic ocean. When these two link up, tropical systems are more likely to head toward the Gulf of Mexico. That may not be the case with this system. The forecast models suggest there will be a weakness between the two allowing this system to re-curve between Cape Hatteras and Bermuda next weekend or early the following week. Obviously, this is no guarantee given the system hasn't even fully developed yet, but at least it's encouraging! We'll keep you posted!
Read more on the Tropical Update page.
