Tropical Storm Jerry strengthened east of the Leeward Islands on Wednesday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Jerry was located at latitude 14.6°N and longitude 49.2°W which put it about 855 miles east of the Leeward Islands.  Jerry was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Jerry exhibited much more organization on Wednesday.  A long band of thunderstorms curved around the western and southern sides of the center of circulations.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms developed and began to revolve around the center of circulation.  Storms near the center began to generate upper level divergence which was pumping mass away from the tropical storm.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 45 miles (75 km) from the center of circulation.

Tropical Storm Jerry will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next several days.  Jerry will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperature is near 29°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Jerry is likely to strengthen into a hurricane during the next day or two.  Jerry could rapidly intensify once it develops an inner core with an eye and an eyewall.

Tropical Storm Jerry will move south of a subtropical ridge over the Atlantic Ocean.  The ridge will steer Jerry toward the west-northwest.  On its anticipated track Tropical Storm Jerry could approach the northern Leeward Islands on Friday.  Jerry is likely to be a hurricane by that time.

Elsewhere, Hurricane Humberto was nearing Bermuda and Tropical Depression Imelda was dropping heavy rain over parts of eastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Hurricane Humberto was located at latitude 32.4°N and longitude 67.2°W which put it about 140 miles (225 km) west of Bermuda.  Humberto was moving toward the east-northeast at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 120 m.p.h. (195 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 140 m.p.h. (225 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 952 mb.  A Hurricane Warning was in effect for Bermuda.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Depression Imelda was located at latitude 30.6°N and longitude 95.6°W which put it about 65 miles (105 km) north of Houston, Texas.  Imelda was moving toward the north at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 30 m.p.h. (50 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1009 mb.  Flash Flood Watches were in effect for parts of eastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana.