Satellite image of Tropical Depression Seven on Friday morning Aug. 10, 2012.
Tropical Depression Seven could become Tropical Storm Gordon before bringing drenching downpours, choppy seas and squalls to the Windward and Leeward islands this weekend.
Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph. Slow strengthening is expected over the next 48 hours. In order for the system to be classified as a tropical storm, sustained winds much reach 39 mph with some sort of low-level circulation.
AccuWeather.com meteorologists continue to monitor other features in the Atlantic Basin, including two systems that will slowly organize in the coming days.
According to Tropical Weather Expert Dan Kottlowski, "While a large mass of dry air will continue to mitigate the system's strength in the short term, warm water and weak wind shear farther west could allow for modest strengthening in the days ahead."
Despite wind shear and dry air around Tropical Depression Seven now, the feature can organize enough to become a tropical storm at any time.
However, AccuWeather.com meteorologists do not expect a rapid ramp-up through hurricane intensity levels with this system.
"It is highly possible it will behave much as Ernesto did in terms of intensity, path and forward speed," Kottlowski said.
However, while the system is oriented about the same latitude as Ernesto was, it appears to be slightly more organized and perhaps slightly farther north.
"Folks in the Lesser Antilles should be ready for tropical storm conditions beginning this weekend," Kottlowski said.
Meanwhile, a tropical wave moving off the coast of Africa near the Cape Verde Islands bears watching for tropical development in the coming days.
Downpours and locally severe thunderstorms over the Central states will not only foil holiday weekend activities, but will also put some lives at risk.
A few days after a chilly storm departs the Northeast, warm weather will make a strong comeback in parts of the Midwest and the East later next week.
The storm responsible for the wind, cold, rain and snow in the Northeast Friday and Saturday will slowly ease up for the balance of the holiday weekend.
"This pup was literally singing when he saw his family," Michelle Karolicki, relocation program manager of the Central Oklahoma Humane Society, said about a reunion that took place on Thursday.
During Sunday's race, the skies will be variably cloudy with the risk of a few showers.
Another plunge of chilly air will set the stage for the risk of a frost and freeze centered Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and other nearby states this weekend.
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | N/A | |
| Low | N/A | |
| Precip | N/A |
Wesley, LA (1991)
Heavy rain (25th-26th) resulted in widespread
flooding. One hundred-sixty homes -- 80% of the
total number of houses in town -- received
structural or water damage. A total of 6.5" of
rain fell in 2-1/2 hours.
Chicago, IL (1992)
32 degrees, latest 32 or lower on record.
Midwest (1896)
Tornado swarm in Iowa, Illinois and Michigan;
74 killed.
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