Tropical Storm Humberto: First Possible Hurricane Of The Season Forms Near Cape Verde Islands

Officials have issued tropical storm warnings for the southern Cape Verde Islands Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava in response to the formation of Humberto in the far Atlantic Ocean, off the Northwest coast of Africa.

According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, Humberto’s maximum sustained winds as of 11 a.m. Monday morning had peaked at around 45 mph, up from 40 mph at 8 a.m. However, the organization predicted that the storm would gain speed and likely become a hurricane by Wednesday.

Humberto is forecasted to maintain a steady course on Monday and then turn toward the West-Northwest on Tuesday. The southern Cape Verde Islands are expected to receive 3 to 6 inches of rain, and as much as 8 inches in remote areas, which could result in heavy flooding and mudslides, UPI reported.

If Humberto does intensify into a hurricane, it will be the first Atlantic hurricane of this season. According to WPTV, Humberto is also in the running to tie the record for “latest forming first Hurricane of the season” with 2002’s Hurricane Gustav.

Humberto , which is more than 3,500 miles away from Miami, is not expected to have any effect on Florida on the Caribbean, and is predicted to stay close to the African coast. The center of the storm is currently located roughly 145 miles southeast of the southern Cape Verde Islands.