Tropical Storm Cristobal develops in the Atlantic; another system brewing

As of 11 a.m., Tropical Storm Cristobal has formed in the Atlantic. The storm is located well west-southwest of the Azores and about 1,000 miles east of Bermuda. Cristobal has maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and is expected to track over the open Atlantic, with no impacts to land anticipated.

Climatologically, the Atlantic typically sees its third named storm, the “C” storm, develop by August 3. That puts the season slightly behind schedule.

However, the Weather Authority continues to monitor Invest 92L, a disturbance in the central Atlantic with an 80% chance of development over the next seven days. Forecast models show the system gradually organizing as it moves westward, with the potential to reach the Caribbean by next week. The next name on the list after Cristobal is Dolly.

Invest 92L is currently about 800 miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands and roughly 3,100 miles from Southwest Florida.

The good news for Southwest Florida is that strong high pressure over the Southeast and Gulf of Mexico is expected to keep the system away from the region. As a result, Invest 92L is not expected to have a direct impact on Southwest Florida at this time.

The Weather Authority will continue to closely monitor both systems and provide updates as conditions change.