Hurricane Rita - renamed

[JimMIA]

This morning there are two tropical storm systems which deserve watching. The computer models on both systems are tightly clustered, and the NHC seems to feel pretty confident in their projected tracks.

Tropical Storm Phillipe is located in the Western Atlantic about 450 miles east of the Leeward Islands which form the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea. This storm is projected to move mostly northerly for the next five days, keeping it well away from the United States. It probably will not affect the U.S., but it is still too early to be sure, so keep an eye on it.

However, Tropical Depression 18 has just been identified and probably will affect Florida weather this week. TD 18 is currently centered over the Turks and Caicos [at the SE end of the Bahamas, north of Hispaniola (Haiti/Dominican Republic)].

TD 18 is expected to become Tropical Storm Rita on Monday, and move through the Florida Straits between Cuba and the Florida Keys during Tuesday-Wednesday. Most of South Florida is within the three-day cone at this time.

TD 18 is not expected to develop into a hurricane until passing into the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday, but that obviously is subject to change.

TD 18 is more of a threat to VB and WDW than Phillipe, so it bears close watching.

 

[JimMIA]

The 11 AM advisory projects Tropical Depression 18 to become Tropical Storm Rita tonight and Hurricane Rita by Tuesday morning.

Tropical Storm warnings have been issued for the Turks and Caicos and southern Bahamas. Hurricane Watches have been issued for the northern Bahamas, the Florida Keys, and Florida Bay.

The track remains about the same, with the primary difference being in the rate of expected intensification.

 

[kareneast]

Thank you for the updates.