Tropical Storm Dexter Forms Over the Western Atlantic
The National Hurricane Center has issued its first advisory for Tropical Storm Dexter, which has formed over the western Atlantic. At 10:00 PM CDT, the storm was located at 34.3 North, 69.4 West, about 300 miles west-northwest of Bermuda. It is moving east-northeast at 12 mph. A faster east-northeastward or northeastward motion is expected through early Tuesday, with a slower motion to follow on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph, with higher gusts, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the center. Some slight strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, but the storm is expected to become post-tropical by Wednesday.
A tropical storm is a rotating weather system with a defined center and maximum sustained winds ranging from 39 to 73 mph. Once a storm’s sustained winds reach 74 mph, it is reclassified as a hurricane. The designation of a storm as “post-tropical” indicates that it has lost its tropical characteristics, but it may still produce heavy rain and strong winds.
It is important to note that Tropical Storm Dexter is forecast to move away from the U.S. coast and is not expected to be a threat to land. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
Other Tropical Activity
Central Tropical Atlantic: A tropical wave is expected to move off the west coast of Africa on Monday. There is a medium chance (40%) that this wave could gradually develop into a tropical depression late this week as it moves west-northwestward across the central tropical Atlantic.
Off the Southeastern United States: An area of low pressure may form a few hundred miles off the coast of the southeastern United States in the next couple of days. This system has a low chance (20%) of gradual development during the middle or latter part of the week as it drifts to the west or northwest.
