Tropical activity increases in the crowded Atlantic as NHC tracks 1 storm and 3 disturbances
Tropical Storm Franklin is approaching Hispaniola
FOX Weather hurricane specialist Brian Norcross is tracking Tropical Depression Harold and Tropical Storm Franklin, both of which are responsible for the rainfall deluges.
As the peak of hurricane season approaches, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring five areas in the Atlantic Basin, including an area of Tropical Depression Harold that has weakened to a tropical storm but is still dumping heavy rains across South Texas.
The NHC also monitors Tropical Storm Franklin, the remnants of Tropical Storm Emily, and tropical disturbances in the Atlantic Ocean.
Here’s a closer look at the very active Atlantic Ocean:
Tropical Depression Harold continues to rain heavily Texas
Tropical Storm Harold made landfall on Padre Island, Texas, just after 9:50 a.m. EDT Tuesday, with heavy rain and strong winds spreading to South Texas. It weakened to a tropical depression while on Earth.
The storm is located 15 miles east of Laredo, Texas, and is moving west-northwest at 21 mph. Maximum sustained wind speed is 35 mph.
A general rainfall range of 2 to 5 inches is expected in South Texas, but some locations may pick up to 7 inches of rain through Wednesday morning.
Tropical Storm Franklin is heading toward Hispaniola, Puerto Rico
Tropical Storm Franklin is still moving slowly as it approaches the Dominican Republic. The storm is expected to bring heavy rain to both Puerto Rico and Hispaniola during the day.
The storm will head toward the southern coast of Hispaniola overnight and into Wednesday, threatening “life-threatening” flash flooding in the Dominican Republic, where rain totals are expected to reach 10-15 inches in some areas, the NHC reports.
A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for the southern coasts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti and the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, while a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands. Franklin has maximum sustained winds near 40 mph with higher gusts, and some strengthening is expected over the next 48 hours.
Puerto Rico, which is outside tropical warnings, could see 2 to 4 inches of rain and up to 6 inches locally during midweek.
Franklin is moving toward the northwest at 7 mph. It is located about 210 miles southwest of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Investment Watch 92L off Africa
The fourth region of interest in the Atlantic Ocean is located near Africa. Weather conditions have deteriorated, and the National Center of Meteorology feels that the chances of a low to moderate depression may develop later in the week in the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean. The National Hurricane Center says this disturbance has a 10% chance of developing within the next two days and a 40% chance of becoming a tropical depression within the next seven days.
What used to be Tropical Storm Emily is now just a residual depression being monitored as “Disturbance No. 2.” There is a 30% chance of becoming a tropical depression within the next two days and a 50% chance within the next week.
A guide to the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season
