“The system is expected to become a tropical storm when it is near the Leeward Islands on Wednesday,” says the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
This caused tropical storm warnings to be issued for Puerto Rico, the Leeward Islands and the Virgin Islands.
A tropical storm alert was issued for the Dominican Republic, from Cabo Engano to the northern border with Haiti.
The Tuesday morning storm located 585 miles east-southeast of the Leeward Islands and was moving west at approximately 23 mph.
It will affect the Leeward Islands on Wednesday and Puerto Rico on Wednesday night through Thursday.
It is already delivering 40 mph tropical storm force winds that extend 230 miles outward from the center of the storm system. Winds are forecast to increase in intensity.
Precipitation of 3 to 6 inches is likely to occur, and up to 10 inches are expected locally in the coming days in the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Heavy rain could cause flash floods and landslides.
Why is it called potential tropical cyclone nine
It is not yet a tropical storm. The reason this is called “Tropical Cyclone Potential Nine” is because the storm does not have a round center of circulation, says CNN meteorologist Chad Myers. Instead, it is very long. “When a circular center finally forms, that’s when it will be called a tropical storm.”
Calling it a possible tropical cyclone, it allows countries to issue warnings.
Once given the name Isaias, pronounced (ees-ah-EE-as), it will be the earliest storm to begin with a registered “I”. The previous record was set on August 7, 2005, part of the busiest season to date.
There is uncertainty about where and how strong the storm will be when it approaches Florida.
Although the storm will not threaten the earth for a few days, the models are consistent in showing that the storm takes advantage of the warm waters and strengthens itself.
“You rarely see the convergence of models as you are seeing with this next storm,” Myers said. “There is a consensus with this that the storm is going to do something and that it is going to enter the Bahamas area.”
But how it interacts over the Leeward Islands and Hispaniola could affect the intensity of the storm.
Hispaniola, the Bahamas, Cuba and Florida should continue to monitor the forecasts, as there are likely to be changes in both monitoring and intensity, the CNH says.
“It cannot be emphasized enough that since the system is still in the formative stage, there is greater than average uncertainty regarding short-term and long-term intensity and monitoring forecasts,” NHC said.
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