Tropical Storm Karl moving west; eventual track unclear

FORT MYERS, Fla. — The long-term outlook is uncertain for a system that strengthened into a tropical storm late Thursday in the eastern Atlantic Ocean.

Tropical Storm Karl is centered about 700 miles west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands and is moving west with maximum sustained winds near 45 mph. Little change in strength is expected over the next two days as the system battles wind shear.

A turn to the northwest is in the forecast by early next week, and the system has the potential to strengthen into a hurricane around that time.

Preliminary indications are that the system will remain over water and won’t affect Southwest Florida or any part of the continental United States, but it’s expected to be another week before model plots can predict its ultimate path with any accuracy.

Tropical Storm Julia, the other named storm in the Atlantic, is expected to meander off the coast of the Carolinas before dissipating early next week.

Another system, Ian, was downgraded from a tropical storm to an extratropical system Friday and is moving northeast in the north Atlantic. It poses no threat to land.

Visit WINK News Hurricane Central to make sure you’re prepared as hurricane season continues.