COLUMBIA, S.C. — The National Hurricane Center continues to issue advisories Tropical Storm Franklin, located over the eastern Caribbean Sea and Tropical Depression NINE in the Gulf of Mexico. Tropical Storm Gert, located several hundred miles east of the northern Leeward Islands and Tropical Storm Emily, located a little over 1000 miles west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands have been have weakened considerably as forecasted and pose no threat.
Tropical Storm Franklin
Tropical Storm Franklin is still forecasted to bring heavy rain to parts of Puerto Rico, Haiti and the Dominican Republic through the middle of the week. Heavy rains may cause flash and urban flooding, as well as river rises and mudslides. Significant and potentially life-threatening flash flooding is possible across Hispaniola on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Beginning tomorrow, Franklin is expected to bring tropical storm conditions to parts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, where tropical storm warnings are in effect.
With higher gusts, maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph. Before Franklin reaches Hispaniola, some strengthening is expected. Tropical storm-force winds extend up to 60 miles from the center.
Tropical Depression NINE
Showers and thunderstorms continue to develop in conjunction Tropical Depression NINE in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. While moving westward at 18 mph across the central Gulf of Mexico, environmental conditions appear favorable for the development of this system. By Tuesday morning, this will likely become Tropical Storm Harold as it approaches the western Gulf of Mexico coastline.
Those with an interest in the western Gulf of Mexico should keep an eye on the progress of this system. Tropical storm watches and warnings have been issued for parts of the southeastern Texas.
Eastern Tropical Atlantic
A tropical wave near the Cabo Verde Islands is causing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms over the far eastern tropical Atlantic. The environmental conditions appear to be favorable for this system's gradual development, and a tropical depression is expected to form later this week as it moves west-northwestward across the eastern tropical Atlantic.
