Tropical Storm Fred Forms in Atlantic

By Megan Kearney and Alexa Silverman.

Tropical Storm Fred developed just south of Puerto Rico late Tuesday night, the National Hurricane Center confirmed. The hurricane center is issuing advisories on Fred, which is expected to impact the Caribbean this week, and potentially Florida beginning Friday.

Heavy rains and gusty winds are beginning to spread across Puerto Rico and will continue overnight and over Hispaniola on Wednesday.

Data from the aircraft and surface observations indicate the disturbance gained some strength Tuesday night, with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph with higher gusts. Some additional strengthening is forecast overnight before Fred reaches eastern Dominican Republic on Wednesday morning.

There have been no named storms since Hurricane Elsa dissipated one month ago on July 9.

There is a risk of wind and rainfall impacts in Florida beginning Friday in the Keys and spreading northward through portions of the Peninsula and the Panhandle this weekend, but it’s too soon to tell the timing, location, and magnitude of any potential impacts, given the uncertainty in the long-range forecast, according to the NHC. Interests in Florida should monitor updates to the forecast.

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