Tag Archives: Cabo Verde Islands

Tropical Storm Sean Forms over the Eastern Atlantic Ocean

Tropical Storm Sean formed over the eastern Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday morning. At 5:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Sean was located at latitude 10.3°N and longitude 33.1°W which put it about 725 miles (1170 km) west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Sean was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1006 mb.

A low pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean west-southwest of Cabo Verde Islands strengthened on Wednesday morning and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Sean. More thunderstorms began to form near the center of Sean’s circulation. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Tropical Storm Sea. The winds in the other parts of Sean’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Sean will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Sean will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the eastern side of an upper level trough over the central Atlantic Ocean. The upper level trough will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Sean’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the shear may not be strong enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Sean is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Sean will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that extends from West Africa to the eastern Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Sean toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Sean will move farther away from the Cabo Verde Islands.

Hurricane Lee Moves South of Bermuda

Hurricane Lee moved south of Bermuda on Monday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Lee was located at latitude 23.9°N and longitude 64.8°W which put it about 580 miles (935 km) south of Bermuda. Lee was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 135 m.p.h. (215 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 948 mb.

Hurricane Lee went through another eyewall replacement cycle on Monday. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the existing eye and eyewall early on Monday. Two concentric eyewalls were present at the core of Lee’s circulation during much of Monday. The inner eyewall weakened throughout the day, but a portion of the inner eyewall was still present on microwave satellite images on Monday evening. Low level convergence became concentrated into the outer eyewall and the outer eyewall began to contract around the center of Hurricane Lee. Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the concentric eyewalls. Storms near the core of Lee’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

The eyewall replacement cycle caused some fluctuations in the size and intensity of Hurricane Lee on Monday. Winds to hurricane force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center of Lee’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 26.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 47.0. Hurricane Lee was similar in size and intensity to Hurricane Irma when Irma hit Southwest Florida in 2017.

Hurricane Lee will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Lee will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move into a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. If the inner eyewall dissipates completely, then Hurricane Lee could intensify on Tuesday.

Hurricane Lee will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Lee toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lee will be far to the south of Bermuda on Tuesday.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, former Tropical Storm Margot intensified to a hurricane over the Central Atlantic. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Hurricane Margot was located at latitude 28.0°N and longitude 39.6°W which put it about 1295 miles (2085 km) northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Margot was moving toward the north at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 95 m.p.h. (150 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 984 mb.

Hurricane Lee Moves Northeast of Puerto Rico

Hurricane Lee moved northeast of Puerto Rico on Sunday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Hurricane Lee was located at latitude 22.6°N and longitude 62.2°W which put it about 400 miles (645 km) northeast of the San Juan, Puerto Rico. Lee was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 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. (220 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 950 mb.

Hurricane Lee intensified on Sunday after it completed an eyewall replacement cycle. The inner eyewall dissipated on Sunday morning. The outer eyewall surrounded an eye with a diameter of 30 miles (50 km) developed at the center of Lee’s circulation. The strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms revolved around the core of Hurricane Lee. Storms near the core of Lee’s circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the hurricane.

Hurricane Lee was turning into a large and powerful hurricane on Sunday night. Winds to hurricane force extended out 75 miles (120 km) from the center of Lee’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 22.1. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 22.6 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 44.7.

Hurricane Lee will move through an environment that will be favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Lee will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move into a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Lee could intensify to Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Monday.

Hurricane Lee will move around the southwestern part of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Lee toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lee will pass far to the north of the Puerto Rico on Tuesday.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Margot continued to intensify gradually over the Central Atlantic Ocean. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Margot was located at latitude 24.6°N and longitude 39.9°W which put it about 1185 miles (1910 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Margot was moving toward the north at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 80 m.p.h. (130 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 996 mb.

Hurricane Lee Weakens East of the Northern Leeward Islands

Hurricane Lee weakened while it moved over the Atlantic Ocean east of the Northern Leeward Islands on Friday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Lee was located at latitude 19.3°N and longitude 56.5°W which put it about 440 miles (705 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. Lee was moving toward the west-northwest at 13 m.p.h. (21 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 135 m.p.h. (220 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 963 mb.

An upper level trough near Puerto Rico produced strong southwesterly winds that blew toward the top of Hurricane Lee. Those winds caused moderate vertical wind shear. Those winds also inhibited the upper level divergence in the southern side of Hurricane Lee. Hurricane Lee was unable to pump away as much mass as was flowing into Lee in the lower levels of the atmosphere. More mass accumulated in the center of Hurricane Lee and the surface pressure rose quickly on Friday.

The inner core of Hurricane Lee was disrupted by the moderate vertical wind shear. The ring of thunderstorms surrounding the eye was broken south of the center of Lee’s circulation. Bands in the southwestern part of Hurricane Lee consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern half of Lee’s circulation. Thunderstorms in the northern side of Lee still generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north of the hurricane.

The size of the circulation around Hurricane Lee increased on Friday. Winds to hurricane force extended out 30 miles (50 km) from the center of Lee’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 175 miles (280 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 20.6. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 12.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 33.0.

Hurricane Lee will move through an environment only marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Lee will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. However, the upper level trough near Puerto Rico will still continue to cause vertical wind shear on Saturday. Hurricane Lee could continue to weaken during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane Lee will move around the southern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Lee toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lee could be northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands by Saturday night.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Margot was moved farther away from the Cabo Verde Islands. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Margot was located at latitude 19.5°N and longitude 35.8°W which put it about 810 miles (1310 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Margot was moving toward the west-northwest at 17 m.p.h. (28 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

Hurricane Lee Rapidly Intensifies to Cat. 5

Hurricane Lee rapidly intensified to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale over Atlantic Ocean east of the Northern Leeward Islands on Thursday. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Hurricane Lee was located at latitude 17.3°N and longitude 52.4°W which put it about 705 miles (1135 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. Lee was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 160 m.p.h. (260 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 190 m.p.h. (240 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 928 mb.

A circular eye with a diameter of 17 miles (28 km) was at the center of Hurricane Lee. A ring of thunderstorms surrounded the eye and the strongest winds were occurring in the ring of storms. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core of Lee’s circulation. Storms near the core generated strong upper level divergence that pumped large quantities of mass away from the hurricane. The removal of large amounts of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease rapidly.

Hurricane Lee rapidly intensified to Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale on Thursday. Winds to hurricane force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Lee’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 140 miles (220 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) was 35.0. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 13.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 48.4.

Hurricane Lee will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Lee will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear. Hurricane Lee could continue to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Hurricane Lee will move around the southern side of a subtropical high pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Lee toward the west-northwest during the next 36 hours. On its anticipated track, Hurricane Lee could be northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands by Friday night.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Margot was spinning west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Margot was located at latitude 16.8°N and longitude 29.3°W which put it about 355 miles (570 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Margot was moving toward the west-northwest at 16 m.p.h. (26 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

Tropical Storm Franklin Forms over the Eastern Caribbean Sea

Tropical Storm Franklin formed over the eastern Caribbean Sea on Sunday. At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Franklin was located at latitude 14.8°N and longitude 67.8°W which put it about 240 miles (385 km) south-southeast of Isla Saona, Dominican Republic. Franklin was moving toward the west-northwest at 14 m.p.h. (22 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 1001 mb.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the south coast of Haiti from Anse d’Hainault to the border with the Dominican Republic. A Tropical Storm Watch was also in effect for the south coast of the Dominican Republic from Isla Saona to the border with Haiti.

A low pressure system in a tropical wave over the eastern Caribbean Sea strengthened on Sunday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Franklin. A NOAA research aircraft and and visible satellite images indicated that there was a well defined low level center of circulation in Tropical Storm Franklin. Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Franklin’s circulation. Storms near the center of circulation generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the north of the tropical storm. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the northern half of Franklin’s circulation. The winds in the southern half of the circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Franklin will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. Franklin will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C. It will move under the western part of an upper level ridge over the eastern Caribbean Sea. The ridge will produce southerly winds that will blow toward the top of Franklin’s circulation. Those winds will cause some vertical wind shear, but the shear will probably not be enough to prevent intensification. Tropical Storm Franklin is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Franklin will move south of a high pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean. The high pressure system will steer Franklin toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours. An upper level low near Cuba will steer Franklin toward the north on Tuesday. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Franklin will approach Hispaniola on Tuesday morning. Franklin is likely to bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to parts of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Heavy rain will cause flash floods in some locations.

Elsewhere, Tropical Storm Emily churned west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands and Tropical Depression Six moved toward the Northern Leeward Islands. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Emily was located at latitude 20.2°N and longitude 39.4°W which put it about 1050 miles (1690 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Emily was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 1001 mb.

At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Six was located at latitude 16.6°N and longitude 54.7°W which put it about 565 miles (910 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. The tropical depression was moving toward the west-northwest at 9 m.p.h. (15 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1008 mb.

Tropical Storm Emily Forms Southwest of the Azores

Tropical Storm Emily formed over the Atlantic Ocean southwest of the Azores on Sunday morning. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Storm Emily was located at latitude 19.5°N and longitude 38.8°W which put it about 1000 miles (1615 km) west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Emily was moving toward the west-northwest at 10 m.p.h. (16 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 1001 mb.

A low pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean southwest of the Azores strengthened on Sunday morning and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Emily. A distinct low level center of circulation was visible on satellite images. However, the distribution of thunderstorms In Tropical Storm Emily was asymmetrical. Most of the thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the northern part of Emily’s circulation. Bands near the center of Emily and in the southern part of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 185 miles (295 km) in the northern side of Emily’s circulation. Winds in the southern half of Emily consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.

Tropical Storm Emily was moving under the eastern part of an upper level low over the Atlantic Ocean. The upper level low was producing strong southerly winds that were blowing toward the top of Emily’s circulation. Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear and the wind shear was causing the asymmetrical distribution of thunderstorms.

Tropical Storm Emily will move through an environment unfavorable for intensification during the next 36 hours. Emily will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27°C. However, the upper level low over the Atlantic Ocean will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear. The strong wind shear is likely to cause Emily to weaken during the next 36 hours.

Tropical Storm Emily will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over the eastern Atlantic Ocean during the next 36 hours. The high pressure system will steer Emily toward the west-northwest. On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Emily will move toward the central Atlantic Ocean.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Depression Six continued to move toward the Northern Leeward Islands. At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Depression Six was located at latitude 16.8°N and longitude 53.7°W which put it about 625 miles (1010 km) east of the Northern Leeward Islands. The tropical depression was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1008 mb.

Tropical Depression Twelve Forms West of Cabo Verde Islands

Tropical Depression Twelve formed over the eastern Atlantic Ocean west of the Cabo Verde Islands on Tuesday afternoon. At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Depression Twelve was located at latitude 14.9°N and longitude 30.5°W which put it about 440 miles (705 km) west of the Cabo Verde Islands. The tropical depression was moving toward the northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1007 mb.

A distinct low level center of circulation formed within a tropical wave over the eastern Atlantic Ocean west of the Cabo Verde Islands on Tuesday afternoon and the National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Depression Twelve. The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern and eastern sides of the center of the tropical depression. Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of circulation. Storms near the center generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical depression.

Tropical Depression Twelve will move through an environment marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours. The tropical depression will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 28˚C. Tropical Depression Twelve will move between an upper level ridge over West Africa and an upper level trough northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. The flows in the ridge and trough will interact to produce southwesterly winds that will blow toward the top of the tropical depression’s circulation. Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The wind shear will inhibit intensification. Tropical Depression Twelve could intensify to a tropical storm during the next 24 hours if the upper level winds do not get any stronger.

Tropical Depression Twelve will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system over West Africa. The high pressure system will steer the tropical depression toward the northwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Depression Twelve will move farther away from the Cabo Verde Islands.

Hurricane Fiona Nears Canadian Maritimes

Hurricane Fiona neared the Canadian Maritimes on Friday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Hurricane Fiona was located at latitude 44.5°N and longitude 60.8°W which put it about 140 miles (220 km) east of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Fiona was moving toward the north at 46 m.p.h. (74 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 105 m.p.h. (165 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 125 m.p.h. (200 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 933 mb.

A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Hubbards to Brule, Nova Scotia. Hurricane Warnings were in effect for Prince Edward Islands and Isle de la Madeline. A Hurricane Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Parson’s Pond to Francois, Newfoundland. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for St. Andrews, New Brunswick to Hubbards, Nova Scotia. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Brule, Nova Scotia to Cap Madeline, Quebec. Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Anticosti Island and for the portion of the coast from Sheldrake, Quebec to Parson’s Pond, Newfoundland. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Boat Harbor to Hare Bay, Newfoundland. A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from Francois to St. Lawrence, Newfoundland. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from Boat Harbor, Newfoundland to West Bay, Labrador.

Hurricane Fiona was making a rapid transition to a large, powerful extratropical cyclone on Friday night. The former eye and eyewall were no longer present at the center of Fiona. Most of the remaining thunderstorms were in bands northeast of the center of Fiona’s circulation. Cooler drier air was wrapping around the western and southern sides of the circulation. Upper level divergence above Hurricane Fiona was still pumping mass away and the surface pressure remained around 933 mb.

Hurricane Fiona grew much larger during the transition to an extratropical cyclone. Winds to hurricane force extended out 185 miles (295 km) from the center of Fiona’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 345 miles (555 km) from the center of circulation. The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Hurricane Fiona was 17.8. The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 48.4 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 66.2. Hurricane Fiona was capable of causing extensive serious damage.

An upper level trough over eastern Canada will steer Hurricane Fiona quickly toward the north during the weekend. The strongest winds will occur over eastern Nova Scotia and western Newfoundland. Strong winds will also affect the rest of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, parts of New Brunswick, Quebec and Labrador. The large circulation around Hurricane Fiona could cause widespread electrical outages. Locally heavy rain could cause floods in some places. Large waves and a storm surge could cause damage along the coast.

Elsewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Storm Gaston brought wind and rain to the Azores, Tropical Storm Hermine moved northeast of the Cabo Verde Islands and Tropical Storm Ian formed over the Caribbean Sea.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Gaston was located at latitude 38.9°N and longitude 29.5°W which put it about 50 miles (80 km) west-northwest of the Faial, Azores. Gaston was moving toward the southwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.

Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect for Corvo, Flores, Faial, Pico, Sao Jorge, Graciosa, and Terceira.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Hermine was located at latitude 19.4°N and longitude 20.8°W which put it about 315 miles (505 km) northeast of the Cabo Verde Islands. Hermine was moving toward the north at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb.

At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Friday the center of Tropical Storm Ian was located at latitude 14.8°N and longitude 72.0°W which put it about 385 miles (625 km) southeast of Kingston, Jamaica. Ian was moving toward the west-northwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 1005 mb.

Hurricane Watches were in effect for the Cayman Islands including Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for Jamaica.

Tropical Wave West of Africa Watched for Development

A tropical wave over the Atlantic Ocean west of Africa was being watched for development on Monday afternoon. The tropical wave was designated as Invest 97L on Monday. At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of the tropical wave was located at latitude 11.7°N and longitude 22.7°W which put it about 230 miles (350 km) south of the Cabo Verde Islands. The tropical wave was moving toward the west at 19 m.p.h. (30 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 1010 mb.

A tropical wave that moved over the Atlantic Ocean west of Africa during the weekend was being monitored for possible development of a tropical depression on Monday afternoon. The tropical wave exhibited a typical structure. There was no center of circulation evident in the lower levels of the atmosphere. There were linear bands of showers and thunderstorms that were moving with the tropical wave. Thunderstorms near the axis of the wave were generating upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical wave.

The tropical wave will move through an environment favorable for the development of a tropical depression during the next several days. The tropical wave will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 27˚C. It will move under the axis of an upper level ridge that extends from the west coast of Africa to the Caribbean Sea. The upper level winds are weak near the axis of the ridge. The tropical wave will move along the southern side of a subtropical pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean. The subtropical high is producing strong easterly winds in the lower level of the atmosphere. The strong low level winds may cause vertical wind shear in the lower levels of the atmosphere, which could inhibit the formation of a tropical depression. The National Hurricane Center is indicating that there is a probability of 40% of the formation of a tropical depression during the next five days.

The subtropical high pressure system will steer the tropical wave quickly toward the west-northwest during the next few days. On its anticipated track the tropical wave could approach the northern Leeward Islands in a few days. It could be a tropical depression or tropical storm by that time.