Tropical Atlantic Heating Up: August 4th, 2012
By Quincy Vagell on August 4, 2012, 12:30pm
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There are now two named storms in the Atlantic as the tropics heat up.
Tropical Depression #6 formed overnight and was quickly upgraded to Tropical Storm Florence. The storm is moving towards the WNW and is expected to continue that track for the next several days. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) does not expect the storm to become a hurricane, but it does take the path of the storm towards the Southeast coast by the end of the upcoming week.
*It should be noted that this is the 3rd earliest on record for a 6th named storm to form in the Atlantic. The only two seasons with this occurring earlier are 1936 and 2005.
Tropical Storm Ernesto is also strengthening and moving towards the WNW. The forecast track has shifted very slightly to the south, meaning Jamaica will likely be spared the worst from the storm. With that said, a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the island. The storm is expected to reach Hurricane status and emerge into the Gulf of Mexico later next week.
An area of convection is being tracked near the coast of Florida, but the threat of this becoming a tropical system is decreasing. The area of convection is not showing signs of organization and with movement over Florida expected, that trend should continue.
Other trends to note:
*Tropical Storm Florence bears watching along the East Coast. With a large ridge of high pressure in the open Atlantic, this system could potentially track a turn more towards the NW and NNW as we head into later next week.
*Tropical Storm Ernesto has been trending with a more southerly track. This may cause the storm to move into the Yucatan peninsula, which would weaken the storm. With that said, it may also become more of a focus for the western Gulf of Mexico, as opposed to areas further east.
Stay tuned to WXedge.com for all the latest details.
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