FIRST ALERT: Tropical Depression 12 forms in the Atlantic

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - We now have Tropical Depression 12 in the Atlantic. That makes a total of five named storms and one chance of development in the tropics.

Named Storms

The center of Tropical Depression Twelve was located near latitude 19.6 North, longitude 28.3 West. The depression is moving toward the north-northwest near 8 mph. A motion toward the north-northwest and northwest at a faster forward speed is expected through Sunday. A turn toward the west-northwest is forecast later on Sunday. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is expected, and the depression is forecast to become a tropical storm later today or this evening. The system is likely to weaken early Sunday and degenerate to a remnant low by late Sunday. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1007 mb.

The next name on the list is Tropical Storm Katia.

The center of Hurricane Franklin was located near latitude 38.7 North, longitude 55.6 West. Franklin is moving toward the northeast near 18 mph. A faster northeastward motion is expected during the next day or so, followed by a northeastward to east-northeastward motion into early next week. Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph with higher gusts. Some fluctuations in intensity are possible during the next day or so, followed by weakening through early next week. Franklin is forecast to become an extratropical cyclone by tonight. Satellite wind data indicate that hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 60 milesfrom the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 255 miles. The estimated minimum central pressure is 985 mb.

The center of Tropical Depression Gert was located near latitude 28.7 North, longitude 54.6 West. The depression is moving toward the east near 7 mph. This motion is forecast to continue today. A turn toward the northeast is expected over the weekend. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph with higher gusts. Gert could become a tropical storm later today. The system is forecast to become post-tropical or dissipate by the end of the weekend. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1008 mb.

The center of Post-Tropical Cyclone Idalia was located near latitude 31.9 North, longitude 67.9 West. Idalia is moving toward the east-southeast near 17 mph, and this general trajectory at a slower forward speed is expected through Saturday. A turn toward the east and then northeast is forecast late Saturday and Sunday. On the forecast track, the center of Idalia will move near or to the south of Bermuda on Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph with higher gusts. Gradual weakening is forecast through early Saturday. Restrengthening is possible over the weekend, and Idalia is expected to transition back to a tropical storm on Saturday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 240 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 998 mb.

The center of Tropical Storm Jose was located near latitude 36.0 North, longitude 50.9 West. Jose is moving toward the north-northeast near 23 mph, and this general motion with an increase in forward speed is expected through early Saturday. Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast, and Jose is expected to become absorbed by Franklin tonight or early Saturday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 999 mb.

None of these named storms pose a threat to the Carolinas.

Chance of Development

A tropical wave is expected to move off the west coast of Africa this weekend. Environmental conditions appear conducive for some gradual development of this system during the early and middle parts of next week, and a tropical depression could form while it moves westward to west-northwestward over the eastern and central portions of the tropical Atlantic. The chance of development is at 50%.

This poses no threat to the United States at this time.

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