Hurricane Season 2019: Tropical Storm Dorian Strengthens, Headed For Puerto Rico Then Miami

Florida residents might have to contend with two tropical storms this week and into the next. The first, Tropical Storm Dorian, is wending its way towards the state, while the other identified as 98L is forming off the state’s Atlantic Coast.

Dorian remains on track to become the first tropical storm that will be upgraded into a hurricane. It might also become the first to make landfall (probably in the Miami area) in the U.S. this hurricane season.

The National Weather Service Tampa Bay (NWST) tweeted it's "far too early to speculate" if Dorian will ever hit Florida "as many factors remain in question." It also said "the best action at this time is simply to monitor forecasts from your NWS/NHC over the coming days."

As of 5:00 p.m. EDT (21:00 UTC) on Aug. 25, Tropical Storm Dorian is located some 605 km (375 miles) east-southeast of Barbados. Her maximum sustained winds strengthened to 85 km/h (50 mph or 45 knots) with gusts approaching 100 km/h (65 mph; 55 knots), according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

98L is currently a low pressure area that has an 80 percent chance of transforming into a tropical cyclone. If 98L does strengthen into a storm, it will receive the codename Erin. The good news is 98L or Erin is apparently moving away from the state even as it strengthens, according to forecasters.

Dorian is moving west at 13 mph and is expected to reach the Lesser Antilles as a tropical storm. NHC forecasts Dorian to intensify into a Category 1 hurricane in the Caribbean by the middle of the weak.

Dorian is then forecast to weaken somewhat as it hits Hispaniola (also known as the Greater Antilles), which is divided into Haiti and the Dominican Republic with winds of 40 mph on Friday (Aug. 30) morning.

A tropical storm warning is now in effect for Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. A tropical storm watch was issued for Martinique and Grenada and its dependencies.

A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours. A tropical storm watch means tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

NHC said Dorian is expected to produce two to four inches of rainfall across the Lesser Antilles, which consists of the Leeward Islands, the Leeward Antilles and the Windward Islands.

NHC admonishes Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and the Virgin Islands to monitor Dorian's progress.