Another tropical system is brewing in the Atlantic Ocean. It is located just under 500 miles east of the Lesser Antilles. The good news is that it is not expected to have any direct impact on the continental U.S., and that includes our Sunshine State.
Potential Tropical Cyclone #5 is moving quickly westward, but will make a northward turn on Wednesday as it crosses the northeastern Caribbean islands. The U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico can expect more direct impacts from this system, bringing tropical storm-force winds and heavy rainfall at times. Some areas on these islands could receive over 10 inches of rain. On Monday, this system is moving quickly westward, but once it begins to make that northward turn, its forward speed will decrease slightly, which would bring more rain to the northeastern part of the Caribbean, hence the heavy rainfall forecast.
Starting Tuesday, this system will enter a more favorable area and then it could be officially named by the National Hurricane Center. Keep in mind that the track will not be as strong after this system is given a name. The next name on the list is Ernesto. Ernesto is forecast to become a hurricane on Thursday as it moves away from the Caribbean and could come very close to Bermuda, if not hit it, and stay over 600 miles east of Florida.
