Two Tropical Storms Have Formed In The Atlantic; They Are Expected To Become Hurricanes Soon

Tropical Storms Helene and Isaac are strengthening in the Atlantic Ocean, and the National Hurricane Center (N.H.C.) is predicting that the storms will become hurricanes Sunday and Monday.

Helene is expected to gain hurricane strength on Sunday, while Isaac will become a hurricane on Monday. N.H.C. has Isaac passing just south of the U.S. Virgin Islands next weekend, while Helene’s projected path takes it north into the open sea.

But the storms’ paths could change, so the public is being urged to closely monitor them. Isaac, for example, was originally forecast to head north and stay away from the islands. However, the storm has the Leeward islands in its sights.

According to the N.H.C.’s 5:00 p.m. advisory, the center of Tropical Storm Isaac was located near latitude 14.5 North, longitude 36.6 West. Isaac is moving toward the west near 7 mph (11 km/h). A westward motion with an increase in forward speed are expected during the next few days. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts.

Additional strengthening is forecast during the next few days, and Isaac could become a hurricane by Monday, N.H.C. said. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km) from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 mb (29.68 inches).

Helene

At 5:00 p.m. today, the center of Tropical Storm Helene was located near latitude 13.6 North, longitude 21.7 West, N.H.C. said. Helene is moving toward the west near 13 mph (20 km/h), and this general motion will likely continue through Sunday. A gradual turn toward the west-northwest with an increase in forward speed is expected Sunday night through Tuesday.

On the forecast track, Helene will pass very close to the southern Cabo Verde Islands tonight and early Sunday. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 60 mph (95 km/h) with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is expected during the next few days, and Helene is forecast to become a hurricane on Sunday.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km) from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 998 mb (29.47 inches).