Activity in the Tropics Anything But Quiet

With remnants of Irene far in Canada, our focus turns to two others tropical waves. Tropical Storm Jose formed yesterday morning near Bermuda, creating a stormy day for the little island. Jose has now pushed northward and remains a tropical storm with sustained winds of 40 mph, not impacting any land mass whatsoever. We are expecting Jose to weaken to a depression later today.

Meanwhile, a wave off the coast of Africa bears close watching. Tropical Depression 12 could very well become our next named storm, Katia, later today. The storm as of now is projected to eventually develop into a hurricane and move across the Atlantic. In the next 5 days this storm will not be a threat to any land mass, but thereafter, as it nears the Lesser Antilles, it will certainly be a topic of concern.

A stormy start to the day in SW Florida, especially in Lee and Charlotte counties. Those locations that receive ample rainfall will likely hit highs in the upper 80s. Otherwise, most of us will top out in the low-mid 90s. Keep that umbrella on hand as on and off showers and storms are forecast throughout the day.

-KW