Fred Finally Forms South Of Puerto Rico...

Satellite loops are following two swirls that will likely become our next named storms (Fred, Grace).  NHC is highlighting the second one that is now moving off the African coast . It has an obvious circulation, but lacks organized storms around that rotation.

We'll have two weeks to follow this system.  South of Puerto Rico is the newly named Tropical Storm Fred.   He does have T=Storms concentrated around his center that is moving quickly to the west at 17 mph.  That means Puerto Rico will miss the main wind and rain from Fred.

The NHC's new centerline track is shifted just slightly back to the east which means this should stay a Florida storm and not affect us.

I'll be watching the center line track to see if this slight shift to the east is a trend, or if it starts to shift back to the west.  RIGHT NOW, it would take a major shift back to the west for us to have any concern and spaghetti models are not showing that.

Models are now indicating the intensity will be nearing hurricane force somewhere over the eastern Gulf.  If you have plans going to Florida this weekend or into next week, you need to pay attention as travel to the "Sunshine State" could be limited.  Stay tuned!