Tropical Storms Emily, Franklin join depression and 2 more systems tracked by hurricane center
ORLANDO, Fla. — The bubble finally burst on the spate of National Hurricane Center investigations popping up in the Atlantic with the formation of a two tropical storms and a tropical depression, while two more systems continue to be tracked.
The latest storm to form is Tropical Storm Franklin located about 270 miles south-southwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico, moving west-northwest at 14 mph with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and higher gusts.
Its tropical-storm-force winds extend out 60 miles and tropical storm watches were issued for parts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
“On the forecast track, Franklin should approach the coast of Hispaniola on Wednesday,” forecasters said. “Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours.”
Its five-day forecast then has it continuing north and then back east into the Atlantic.
Earlier Sunday saw the formation of Tropical Storm Emily, which came from a broad area of low pressure with showers and thunderstorms located 1,050 miles west-northeast of the Cape Verde Islands moving west-northwest at 10 mph.
As of 5 p.m., it had sustained maximum winds of 50 mph with tropical-storm-force winds extending out 185 miles.
“Gradual weakening is forecast, and Emily could become a post-tropical cyclone in a couple of days,” forecasters said.
Its five-day path also takes it into the central Atlantic.
Tropical Depression Six formed Saturday evening and continues what’s predicted to be a short-lived run also because of wind shear.
By 5 p.m. Sunday, its center was located about 565 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands moving west-northwest at 9 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph.
“Gradual weakening is expected, and the depression is forecast to become a remnant low and dissipate in about 24 hours,” forecasters said.
The NHC was also keeping track of two more systems with the potential to grow into another tropical depression or storm. If any gain enough strength to become a named system, they would become Tropical Storms Gert and Harold.
A system that dropped some rain over South Florida over the weekend and has moved into the Straits of Florida is expected to continue into the Gulf of Mexico later and become a broad area of low pressure in the next couple of days.
“Additional development of this system is possible as it moves westward at about 15 to 20 mph, and a tropical depression could form as it approaches the western Gulf of Mexico coastline by Tuesday.” forecasters said.
The NHC gives it a 50% chance to form in the next two days, and 60% within the next seven.
And the last tracked system emerged from a tropical wave off the coast of Africa late Friday. It is now producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms.
“Environmental conditions appear conducive for the gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression could form later this week while it moves west-northwestward across the eastern tropical Atlantic,” Forecasters said.
The NHC gives it a 20% chance to form in the next two days, and 60% within the next seven.
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