Two tropical storms formed over the weekend and early Monday in the Atlantic Ocean, as warm waters continued to produce disturbances monitored by the National Hurricane Center. One of the systems moved through the Florida Keys, drenching South Florida, and is now in the Gulf of Mexico with a high chance of becoming a tropical depression or storm.
Tropical Storm Franklin is currently threatening Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with the southern coast under a tropical storm warning, and the north and east coast, as well as the Turks and Caicos Islands, under a tropical storm watch. Franklin has maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and is expected to strengthen before reaching Hispaniola. While it is currently 235 miles south of Santo Domingo, a sharp turn to the north is expected, and it is forecasted to reach the southern coast of Hispaniola on Tuesday or Tuesday night. Franklin is expected to bring significant rainfall of 5 to 10 inches across Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with possible levels of up to 15 inches in some areas. Flash flooding, river rises, and mudslides are also expected.
Tropical Storm Emily, on the other hand, is weakening and currently located about 1,105 miles west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. It has maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and is moving west-northwest at 9 mph. There are currently no storm warnings or watches for Emily, and it is expected to gradually weaken and become a post-tropical cyclone in the next couple of days.
Tropical Depression 6 formed on Saturday and became Tropical Storm Gert early Monday. However, forecasters do not expect Gert to last long and forecast it to become a remnant low and dissipate within 24 hours. It is currently located about 485 miles east of the Northern Leeward Islands and is traveling west-northwest at 9 mph, with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph.
The National Hurricane Center is also closely monitoring a stronger disturbance in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, labeled as Disturbance 1. Forecasters expect this disturbance to develop into a tropical depression or another tropical storm before reaching the western Gulf coastlines on Tuesday. Coastal areas of south Texas and northern Mexico need to be prepared for the possibility of tropical storms or watches as early as Monday.
Another disturbance, labeled as Disturbance 2, is being tracked near the Cabo Verde Islands and is producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Development into a tropical depression and a west-northwest track are expected.
Overall, the Atlantic Ocean remains active with multiple systems forming and potential impacts on various regions. It is crucial for residents and officials to stay updated with the latest forecasts and adhere to any warnings or watches issued by the National Hurricane Center.