Tropical Storm Alex? Hurricane Center gives risk for east coast storm this week.

May 24, 3:27 PM
Atlantic Hurricanes Examiner
Tony Pann

A storm off of coast from the southeast United States has a lot of moisture and is trying to get better organized. While the hurricane season in the Atlantic begins on June 1st, there is a moderate chance that this system, now called Invest AL90, will become the first named storm of the year a little early.  The National Hurricane Center has placed a 30% chance that this storm will organize with winds of 39 mph or greater, becoming a Tropical Storm and getting the name Alex. (2010 Atlantic list of Names)

 

Forecast Intensity:

The forecast models show this storm, Invest AL90, maintaining the current wind speed of 35 knots. That is marginal for a tropical system, but this needs better organization around the center, which is not completely closed off. See the latest satellite images and forecast tracks of this storm in the slide show below.

While the storm may not get a name, it will be responsible for pumping in warm humid air across the east coast, and continue to keep heavy rain along eastern North and South Carolina. Virginia and Maryland will also have to watch the northern fringe of rain bands through the middle of the week.

The Official Statement from the National Hurricane Center:

FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO... 1. SATELLITE IMAGES AND SURFACE OBSERVATIONS INDICATE THAT THE NON-TROPICAL LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM CENTERED ABOUT 475 MILES SOUTHWEST OF BERMUDA HAS NOT BECOME BETTER ORGANIZED SINCE YESTERDAY. THIS SYSTEM IS PRODUCING A LARGE AREA OF DISORGANIZED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OVER THE SOUTHWESTERN ATLANTIC OCEAN ALONG WITH WINDS TO GALE FORCE. THE LOW IS EXPECTED TO MOVE SLOWLY TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHWEST AND IT STILL HAS THE POTENTIAL TO ACQUIRE SUBTROPICAL CHARACTERISTICS DURING THE NEXT DAY OR SO. THERE IS A MEDIUM CHANCE...30 PERCENT... OF THIS SYSTEM BECOMING A SUBTROPICAL CYCLONE DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION... PLEASE SEE HIGH SEAS FORECASTS ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE...UNDER AWIPS HEADER NFDHSFAT1 AND WMO HEADER FZNT01 KWBC. ANOTHER STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER THIS EVENING.

 Moderate risk of storm turning tropical.  IR Sat from NOAA/NHC
  http://www.examiner.com/x-23333-Atlantic-Hurricanes-Examiner~y2010m5d24-Tropical-Storm-Alex-Hurricane-Center-gives-risk-for-east-coast-storm-this-week