TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The National Hurricane Center is tracking five tropical disturbances in the Atlantic.
On Monday, forecasters issued tropical storm watches and warnings ahead of Tropical Depression Nine, which is currently churning through the Gulf of Mexico towards Texas at 18 mph.
The disturbance is just shy of tropical storm strength with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. It is expected to strengthen before it reaches land early Tuesday. If that happens, the tropical storm will be named Harold.
The storm is expected to bring 3-5 inches of rain, with isolated higher amounts of 7 inches, across South Texas on Tuesday and Wednesday. Parts of northern Coahuila and northern Nuevo Leon, Mexico could see up to 10 inches of rain.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the mouth of the Rio Grande to Port O’Connor, Texas. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect from Port O’Connor to Sargent, Texas.
Tropical Storm Franklin
The NHC said Tropical Storm Franklin is expected to strengthen before it reaches Hispaniola late Tuesday.
Franklin currently has maximum sustained winds at 50 mph and is located 290 miles south of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. It is expected to continue creeping westward before taking a sharp northward turn by Tuesday, according to forecasters.
The storm is expected to bring heavy rain in the coming days. 2-4 inches, with isolated higher amounts of 6 inches, is expected across Puerto Rico. Portions of Hispaniola will receive 5-10
inches of rain, with some areas experiencing up to 15 inches.
On Monday afternoon, a NOAA reconnaissance plane flew through the storm to gather data.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
- Dominican Republic – Entire south coast from the Haiti border eastward to Isla Saona
- Haiti – Entire south coast from Anse d’Hainault eastward to the Dominican Republic border
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for:
- Dominican Republic – Entire north and east coast from the Haiti border eastward and southward to Isla Saona
- Turks and Caicos Islands
Tropical Depression Gert
Gert was downgraded to a tropical depression on Monday afternoon after forming into a short-lived tropical storm overnight.
National Hurricane Center said Gert is expected to become a remnant low and could dissipate “at any time.”
The disturbance is expected to make a northwestward turn overnight or on Tuesday.
Post-Tropical Cyclone Emily
Meteorologists are no longer tracking Emily, which became a post-tropical cyclone on Monday.
The storm was about 1,225 miles from the Cabo Verde Islands with 40 mph winds on Monday. It is expected to turn northward by mid-week and will remain at sea.
Area of interest
Forecasters are also watching a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms over the far eastern tropical Atlantic near the Cape Verde Islands.
They believe a tropical depression is expected to form this week. It has a 70% chance of formation over the next seven days.
