Tropical Storm Jerry formed east of the Leeward Islands on Tuesday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Jerry was located at latitude 11.5°N and longitude 44.6°W which put the center about 1315 miles (2120 km) east-southeast of the Northern Leeward Islands.  Jerry was moving toward the west at 24 m.p.h. (39 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.

A low pressure system over the tropical Atlantic Ocean east of the Leeward Islands strengthened on Tuesday morning and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system at Tropical Storm Jerry.

Tropical Storm Jerry was strengthening on Tuesday morning.  More thunderstorms developed near the center of Jerry’s circulation.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Jerry.  Storms near the center of Jerry started to generate upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.

The strongest winds were occurring in the eastern side of Tropical Storm Jerry.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (225 km) from the center of Jerry’s circulation.   The winds in the western side of Tropical Storm Jerry were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Jerry will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Jerry will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under the southern side of an upper level ridge over the tropical Atlantic Ocean.  The upper level ridge will produce easterly winds that will blow toward the top of Jerry’s circulation.  However, the winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere will also blow from the east.  So, there will be less vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Jerry will intensify during the next 24 hours.  Jerry is likely to strengthen to a hurricane later this week.

Tropical Storm Jerry will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.  The high pressure system will steer Jerry quickly toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Jerry will approach the Northern Leeward Islands on Thursday.