Tropical Storm Fiona Weakens; 2 Disturbances Gain Momentum

TAMPA BAY, FL — As Tropical Storm Fiona weakens, two other disturbances under watch in the Atlantic Ocean are showing signs that further development over the next few days may occur. While Fiona poses no likely threat to Florida, it’s too early to tell where the disturbances will ultimately land.

As of Saturday morning, Tropical Storm Fiona was located about 869 nautical miles east of the Leeward Islands. She was moving west-northwest at 13 mph with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, a downgrade from Friday’s 45 mph winds. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center anticipate Fiona will continue to lose strength and will become a tropical depression sometime on Sunday.

On its present track, Fiona is expected to be southeast of Bermuda by sometime on Wednesday morning.

As Tropical Storm Fiona continues to move in the Atlantic Ocean, two other tropical disturbances are beginning to show signs of potential development. The first storm is a broad area of low pressure, associated with a tropical wave. It was located about 750 miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands Saturday morning.

The disturbance continues to be disorganized at this time, but forecasters say the storm is likely to encounter the right conditions for development next week.

“A tropical depression could form by the middle of next week,” forecasters wrote in Saturday morning’s Tropical Weather Outlook report. The system is moving west at 15 to 20 mph, forecasters say. It has been given a 50 percent chance of further formation over the next five days.

The second disturbance under watch is a tropical wave that remained inland over western Africa as of Saturday morning. The wave is expected to move into the Atlantic overnight Saturday.

“Environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development while it moves generally west-northwestward over the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean over the next several days,” forecasters wrote.

The storm has a 50 percent chance of further development over the next five days.

Should either disturbance develop enough to earn a name, it would be called Gaston.

While it’s still too early to tell if either disturbance will pose a threat to Florida or Tampa Bay, the storms serve as a reminder for folks to be prepared as hurricane season continues. The season runs through Nov. 30.

To find out more about hurricane season and storm preparation, read these related Patch stories:

• Hurricane Season 2016: Where To Find Local Information
• 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast Released
• Hurricane Season: How to Prepare
• 2016 Hurricane Names: Is Yours On the List?
• Tampa Bay 'Ripe for Disaster,' Hurricane Experts Say

To keep up with storm activity as the season develops, bookmark the National Hurricane Center’s website and keep an eye on your hometown Patch site for local information.

Image courtesy of the National Hurricane Center