BLOG: Tropics heating up again
New month, new tropical system
Posted: 08/02/2012
After a quiet July in the tropics, Tropical Depression # 5 has formed. It formed late Wednesday afternoon. As it moves westward towards the Windward Islands, it is forecasted to strengthen and hold together.
Right now the depression is poorly organized because it is encountering plenty of shear courtesy of an upper level trough to the north. Maximum sustained winds are 35 mph and it is moving west at about 21 mph. The path and speed should continue into the weekend as it moves into the Eastern and Central Caribbean.
It is still uncertain of the exact long-term track of the system due in part to the strength of the winds in the upper atmosphere which may come in contact with it, which in turn is not favorable for the development of tropical cyclones.
The Hurricane Hunters are scheduled to fly into the depression later today and the official forecast calls for the system to eventually push toward hurricane intensity in about five days.
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