Tropical Storm Katia Forms in Eastern Atlantic

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center is currently tracking Tropical Storm Katia, which formed earlier today out of tropical depression 12.

The latest tropical storm of the already busy hurricane season is “moving quickly west-northwestward across the tropical Atlantic,” said the latest NHC bulletin. It was located about 535 miles, 855 kms, west south west of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands. Maximum sustained winds are around 40 mph, 65 km/h.

The NHC said the storm’s center is “moving toward the west-northwest near 17 mph, 28 km/h,” and this “general motion is expected to continue over the next 48 hours with a gradual increase in forward speed.”

The bulletin also indicated that “additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Katia is expected to be near hurricane intensity by late Wednesday or early Thursday.”

As Katia is still far out in the Atlantic, the projected track of the storm is subject to significant changes. It could even break up over the ocean.

However, on the NHC’s 5-Day tracking chart its current heading would take it somewhat north of the outer Caribbean islands, and, if it doesn’t turn further north, it could eventually hit the U.S. mainland.

Source: National Hurricane Center

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Windstorm Hurricane