While neither of these storms proved noteworthy for the United States, there is a strong tropical wave entering the Eastern Caribbean that people should take note of.
Advertisement
Meanwhile farther out into the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Gaston is nearing hurricane strength. The storm’s intensity is forecast to fluctuate between a tropical storm and hurricane over the next few days. According to the latest forecast updates, Gaston has maximum sustained winds of 70 m.p.h., moving to the northwest at 16 m.p.h.
Gaston briefly became the third hurricane of 2016 on Thursday and was expected to intensify again tonight or on Saturday as it moves into an area with less wind shear and warmer water.
A west-southwesterly shear is now weakening the storm.
As a tropical wave moves westward toward the Gulf of Mexico, forecasters on Friday were predicting that Louisiana isn’t likely to be in the path should the system develop into a storm in the coming days.
The second area that has gotten more attention – Invest 99L – continues to struggle to get organized.
A second area of low pressure in the northern Gulf of Mexico is also being closely monitored, but now only has a 10% chance of development over the next 5 days.
A tropical weather system moving over the Bahamas early Friday has the potential to bring heavy rain and gusting wind to south Florida, the National Hurricane Center said.
We’re now in peak hurricane season, so it’s no surprise the Atlantic is seeing so much activity.
Gale force winds, heavy rain and flash flooding is possible over Hispaniola and Cuba during the next couple of days.
The National Hurricane Center on Thursday decreased the odds that Invest 99L will develop into a tropical depression.
Advertisement
Models released by the NHC show the storm – now designated Invest 99L – headed toward South Florida, with the potential to cross over the state into the Gulf of Mexico. Odds are 50 percent is will strengthen into a tropical system within 48 hours.
