Imelda weakens to tropical depression; Humberto now ‘major hurricane’

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In the tropics, there are currently three areas we’re closely watch in the WINK Weather Center. Those include: Tropical Storm Imelda, Hurricane Humberto and Tropical Depression #10.

TROPICAL DEPRESSION IMELDA

Tropical Depression Imelda formed in the northwest Gulf of Mexico Tuesday afternoon. The storm has sustained winds of 35 mph moving north at 7 mph. The central pressure is 1007 mb.

TROPICAL DEPRESSION #10

Tropical Depression #10 developed Tuesday morning in the open Atlantic, according to satellite data. More organization and strengthening is expected due to warm waters and lower wind shear in its projected path. There is some dry air nearby that may try to slow down the rate of intensification. Regardless, the current forecast from the National Hurricane Center calls for a hurricane over the next five days. It will continue to move towards the west-northwest, near or north of the Leeward Islands by Friday into the weekend. After that? Still too early to call because of a huge spread in models.

HURRICANE HUMBERTO

Hurricane Humberto will continue to pull away from Southwest Florida and the United States eastern seaboard. It is a major hurricane. Humberto is expected to pull drier air into the upper levels of the atmosphere and lower our rain chances over the next few days. It’ll also contribute to a weak cold front pushing through SWFL late this week and dropping our humidity levels and increasing our breezy wind.

Humberto has strengthened to a Category 2 hurricane with a stronger hurricane not out of the question later Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. On the current forecast track, Humberto is expected to pass just to the north of Bermuda on Wednesday night.

A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Bermuda, which means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within 36 hours.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Bermuda, which means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area, in this case within 24 to 36 hours.