Tropical Storm Bonnie made landfall in South Carolina, Colin in western Florida, Danielle in eastern Mexico, Earl in Belize and Mexico. Little development is expected until it moves into the central Bahamas this weekend.
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An Airforce Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate the wave later this morning.
A tropical disturbance is continuing its trek toward Florida on Thursday. According to the National Weather Service’s hazardous outlook report from Tampa Bay, the system has an 80 percent chance of becoming a tropical depression or storm. “Regardless of development, heavy rains, with the potential to cause flash floods and mudslides, are likely over Hispaniola today”, he said.
The last hurricane to make landfall in the Sunshine State was Wilma on October 24, 2005, which killed six people and caused $20 billion in damage across South Florida.
Continued strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, and Lester is likely to become a hurricane on Friday, Aug. 26, according to NHC.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Gaston, which weakened from a hurricane earlier Thursday, was out over the Atlantic, about 1,160 miles (1,865 kilometers) east-northeast of the Leeward Islands.
The Climate Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) initially estimated the Atlantic would see between 10 and 16 storms this year, but recently updated its prediction to 17. A turn toward the west-northwest and a decrease in forward speed are expected by Saturday.
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The storm’s maximum sustained winds had increased Tuesday to near 65 miles per hour (100 kph).
