Atlantic storm just below tropical storm strength
Tropical Depression 2 is continuing to drift westward but it has not quite reached tropical storm strength. Top sustained winds this morning are still clocked at about 35 mph, with higher gusts. But TD2 will have to spin up to 39 mph to earn the first name on the 2009 list - Ana.
The latest advisory says that slow strengthening is possible, and Tropical Storm Ana could take shape anytime in the next day or two. But for now, TD2 remains simply a bad Atlantic storm.
The National Hurricane Center is currently watching three other hotspots in the tropics. One is in the eastern Caribbean, another east of the Lesser Antilles, and a third just coming off the west coast of Africa. None is given much chance of development in the next few days, but together they are an indication that the tropical Atlantic is heating up and popping off more storms.
Here is the latest forecast storm track on TD2. And here is the view from orbit.
(NOAA PHOTO/TD2 crossing 35 degrees West)








Comments
This could be the beginning of a very dangerous 2009 hurricane season.
FR: Or not. TD2 is weakening this morning.
Posted by: Mark Espinola | August 13, 2009 1:35 AM