Tropical Depression Eleven moving west over Central Atlantic, Josephine likely

As of 11 p.m. Wednesday, Tropical Depression Eleven was located over the Central Atlantic with maximum sustained wind of 35 mph. The depression is moving toward the west near 15 mph. This general motion is expected through the rest of today, before a northwesterly turn will begin tonight.

Tropical Depression Eleven is expected to become Tropical Storm Josephine tomorrow, once conditions become a little more conducive for development. Vertical wind shear is expected to lessen slightly, which should help give it the storm the help it needs.

However, by this weekend, the system will move into a more hostile environment with higher wind shear and dry air. This is expected to weaken it notably. In fact, the National Hurricane Center notes that it could diminish back to a tropical wave by early next week. The newest forecast cone reflects that possibility a bit more, now showing Tropical Storm Josephine weakening back down to a tropical depression by Monday.

As for the track of this system, it is becoming more certain that this system will stay away from Florida thanks to the steering currents aloft. Nevertheless, we’ll continue to keep an eye on it!