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Tropical Storm Erika develops in Atlantic

Satellite and Hurricane Hunter aircraft data showed that Danny degenerated into an elongated area of low pressure near the Windward Islands during the afternoon (local time) on August 24.

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The disturbance already is producing tropical-storm-force winds, the National Hurricane Center said.

Erika is now located over open waters in the Atlantic Ocean, almost 1,000 miles east of the Leeward Islands.

At the moment, and over the course of the next two days, the tropical storm will be in an area of the globe with favorable conditions for further development and strengthening.

Despite a quiet first half of the hurricane season across the Atlantic, late August and through September are typically the peak of tropical activity. This storm formed on the heels of what was once Hurricane Danny.

A large group of tropical forecast models curve the system sharply north once it passes the northern Antilles.

The other system is near the Cape Verde Islands, and has a low chance of forming into a tropical storm. “After 48 hours, Erika will be approaching an upper-level low/trough that is forecast to be near Hispaniola, which is expected to cause an increase in westerly wind shear”.

It’s a bit too early to know if this system will have an impact on the U.S. mainland.

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The depression is centered about 20 miles (30 kilometers) south of Guadeloupe and is moving west near 12 mph (19 kph).

Tropical Storm Erika readies itself to invade South Florida

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