Forecasters at the Bermuda Weather Service (BWS), say Tropical Storm Franklin is now considered to be a ‘potential threat’ to Bermuda that could approach the island as a Category 2 hurricane early next week.
In the BWS Tropical Update Bulletin issued at noon today, forecasters said the closest point of approach to Bermuda within 72 hours (3 days) is forecast to be 345 nm to the SSW around 12 pm on Sunday (Aug 27).
But they say this system may move closer to Bermuda after this time period depending upon its track.
The storm is moving NE at 6 knots, with maximum winds at 50kt gusts 60kt.
| Current Position: | 22.2N 69.9W approx. 664 nm SSW of Bermuda |
| Recent Movement: | NE or 40 degrees at 6 kt |
| Central Pressure: | 998 mb / 29.47 in |
| Max Winds: | 50kt gusts 60kt |
The storm is being closely monitored and is expected to slowly advance north in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center is tracking Franklin and three other areas of interest in the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico.
Disturbance One
An area of low pressure located about 1,000 miles east-southeast of Bermuda, the remnants of former Tropical Storm Emily, is continuing to produce a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms.
“Upper-level winds are forecast to become more conducive for development later today, and this system is likely to regenerate into a tropical storm by Friday while the system moves northward over the subtropical central Atlantic,” said NHC.
It has a 70 percent chance of formation over the next seven days.
Disturbance Two
Disorganized showers and thunderstorms continue in association with an area of low pressure located several hundred miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands.
“Despite marginal environmental conditions, slow development is possible and the low could become a tropical depression by the weekend while the system moves west-northwestward to northwestward into the central tropical Atlantic.”
It has a 40 percent chance of formation over the next seven days.
Disturbance Three
NHC said an area of low pressure could form in a couple of days over the northwestern Caribbean Sea.
“Some gradual development of this system is possible over the weekend and early next week, and a tropical depression could form while it moves slowly northward across the eastern Gulf of Mexico.”
It also has a 40 percent chance of formation over the next seven days.
Harold, which made landfall as a tropical storm Tuesday morning on South Padre Island, Texas, has since been downgraded to a tropical depression.
