Formation odds have decreased for the tropical disturbance moving toward the Gulf.
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This satellite image shows Tropical Depression 13E just west of Mexico.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Gaston continued to show winds somewhat below hurricane strength, near 70 miles per hour.
Gaston’s maximum sustained winds as of Thursday are close to 75 miles per hour. If it does become a tropical storm it will be named Hermine.
Authorities in the Turks and Caicos Islands and Bahamas said heavy wind and rain was expected in parts of both island chains through Thursday night and small boats were advised to stay in port. If it passes north of Puerto Rico and Hispaniola, as is expected, it will be in much better shape over the Bahamas, where conditions are ripe for strengthening before it approaches South Florida. Forecasters and disaster preparedness officials in the state have anxious that residents have become complacent.
Gaston is predicted to become a hurricane as it moves in the Central Altantic Ocean this weekend.
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Florida has not been impacted by a hurricane since Wilma made landfall in Collier County during the record-setting 2005 season. That hurricane’s path is expected to continue through Friday, although it is forecast to weaken during the next day or so.
