Record ocean temps fuel Tropical Storm Dexter, 2 more systems brewing
The storm developed quickly due to very warm water in the Gulf Stream, which has been near record-breaking levels in recent weeks.
Dexter is projected to fizzle out in the northern Atlantic by the end of the week.
Meteorologists are also monitoring two other disturbances.
One is located off the Georgia coast, with a 30% chance of development. If it forms, it may drift west or northwest onshore.
Another tropical wave off the coast of Africa has a 50% chance of development.
This system could form as early as Wednesday, but it is likely to move north too quickly to impact the United States directly.
Channel 9 meteorologist will continue to monitor all tropical activity and provide updates on Eyewitness News.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Solve the daily Crossword

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Newsweek
16 hours ago
- Newsweek
Tropical Storm Erin Spaghetti Models as Storm Path Shifts
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Tropical Storm Erin's path has changed slightly, prompting concern that the storm is heading toward the United States even as National Hurricane Center (NHC) experts said it's still too soon to tell what impacts, if any, Erin will cause. Why It Matters Meteorologists have been tracking Tropical Storm Erin, which originated as a tropical wave off the western coast of Africa, for days. The tropical storm formed late Monday morning. Originally, forecast models showed the storm making a northward turn away from the U.S. Now, models have shifted south, increasing the chances that Erin, which is expected to become a major hurricane this weekend, will make landfall on the U.S. East Coast. What To Know Most spaghetti models, or computer models that illustrate potential storm paths, still show the storm taking a northward turn. However, the storm's path has shifted south, meaning some of its impacts could reach land, including the U.S. "I still think the most likely scenario is a track somewhere between the Outer Banks [of North Carolina] and Bermuda," AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva told Newsweek. "However, due to the fact that this storm has been moving a little further south and west, that can certainly increase the chance it can come closer to the United States." Erin could become a major hurricane, a designation that occurs when a storm's wind speeds reach 111 mph or higher, classified as Category 3. Should it strengthen as meteorologists expect, Erin could become not only the first hurricane but also the first major hurricane of the season. An updated forecast map for Tropical Storm Erin. An updated forecast map for Tropical Storm Erin. National Hurricane Center The timeline for Erin's strengthening also has changed. Current forecasts anticipate Erin becoming a hurricane by Thursday evening and a major hurricane by Sunday morning. Previously, experts believed it would become a hurricane on Wednesday and a major hurricane on Saturday. On Tuesday, meteorologist Matt Velocity warned that the longer it takes the storm to intensify, the further west it will travel. "TROPICAL STORM ERIN is continuing to trend west, increasing chances of some sort of US impact," Velocity posted on X. "The longer Erin struggles to intensify, the further west it will travel." The Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and runs through November 30. Tropical Storm Erin is the fifth named storm of the season and the second to form this month, following Tropical Storm Dexter, which fizzled out over the ocean in the first week of August. Meteorologists have issued repeated warnings this summer that the Atlantic hurricane season has not yet reached its peak, which typically happens around mid-September. "As we approach the climatological peak of the hurricane season, this is an opportune time to ensure your preparedness plans are in place," the NHC said in a key message about Erin. What People Are Saying The National Hurricane Center, in a key message about Tropical Storm Erin: "Although it is still too early to know exactly what impacts Erin might bring to the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, the risk has increased for Erin to move closer to these islands over the weekends. Interests there should monitor the progress of this storm." The message added: "There is even greater uncertainty in what impacts, if any, might occur in portions of the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas, the east coast of the United States, and Bermuda next week." What Happens Next Meteorologists will continue tracking the storm as it develops. No coastal hazards have been issued, but people in the affected areas should follow local weather guidance.


UPI
16 hours ago
- UPI
Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands watch as Tropical Storm Erin heads westward
According to the National Hurricane Center on Tuesday, Tropical Storm Erin was in the eastern Atlantic and had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was moving west at 23 mph. Image courtesy of National Hurricane Center Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Tropical Storm Erin is still moving quickly westward and is forecast to become a hurricane in a few days over the central tropical Atlantic, the National Hurricane Center said on Tuesday. Erin was still in the eastern Atlantic and had maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and was moving west at 23 mph, according to the NHC in the 10 a.m. EDT update. There are no warnings or coastal watches in effect. But those in the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico should monitor Erin's progress. Erin is about 2,800 miles from the U.S. East Coast. Forecasters expect westward movement to continue through early Thursday, the NHC said. It's expected to move in a west-northwestward motion late Thursday and into the weekend. Little change in strength is expected through Tuesday night, thanks to moderate water temperatures, but gradual strengthening is forecast to begin on Wednesday. Erin could become a hurricane by late Thursday, when it's predicted to sweep north of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, and it could become a major hurricane by early Sunday. The National Weather Service in Jacksonville said "swells from distant Erin will increase the rip current risk beginning Sunday at area beaches." The previous four named Atlantic storms this year were Andrea, Barry, Chantal and Dexter. None of them became hurricanes, and Chantal was the only one to make landfall in the United States, causing significant flooding in North Carolina. Helene struck that state last year as a tropical storm, causing an estimated $53 billion in damage, after hitting western Florida as a Category 4 hurricane. Four other hurricanes made landfall in the United States in 2024: Beryl, Debby, Francine and Milton.


Newsweek
19 hours ago
- Newsweek
Tropical Storm Erin Update as Chances of US Landfall Increase
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A National Hurricane Center (NHC) forecast warned that Tropical Storm Erin is expected to strengthen into a hurricane in the coming days as it treks westward across the Atlantic Ocean as the chances of a U.S. landfall have increased slightly. Why It Matters The Atlantic hurricane season began on June 1 and runs through November 30. Tropical Storm Erin is the fifth named storm of the season and the second to form this month, following Tropical Storm Dexter, which fizzled out over the ocean in the first week of August. Erin could become a major hurricane, a designation that occurs when a storm's wind speeds reach 111 mph or higher, classified as a Category 3 hurricane. Should it strengthen as meteorologists expect, Erin could become not only the first hurricane but also the first major hurricane of the season. What To Know Tropical Storm Erin formed on Monday morning. Meteorologists had been tracking the storm, which originated as a tropical wave off the western coast of Africa, for days. As of Tuesday morning, Erin's maximum sustained windspeeds were measured at 45 mph, with stronger gusts. A forecast map from the NHC shows that Tropical Storm Erin's path has shifted slightly south. A forecast map from the NHC shows that Tropical Storm Erin's path has shifted slightly south. National Hurricane Center A forecast map from the NHC anticipates the storm will become a hurricane by Thursday morning. Further strengthening is expected, with Erin intensifying into a major hurricane by late Saturday morning. A major hurricane forms once the hurricane becomes a Category 3 storm, in which windspeeds are measured at 111 mph or greater. Shortly after Erin formed on Monday, Max Velocity, a meteorologist with 1.3 million subscribers on YouTube, shared the NHC forecast map in a post on X, formerly Twitter. "BREAKING: Tropical Storm Erin has been born, and we now have our first look at where the NHC believes this system could go," he wrote with the post. "We cannot completely rule out a US landfall, and the NHC expects this to become a MAJOR hurricane." BREAKING: Tropical Storm Erin has been born, and we now have our first look at where the NHC believes this system could go. We cannot completely rule out a US landfall, and the NHC expects this to become a MAJOR hurricane. — Max Velocity (@MaxVelocityWX) August 11, 2025 Later in the evening on Monday, Velocity published another post about how forecast models are shifting for Tropical Storm Erin. "Though the odds are low of a US landfall, it CANNOT be ruled out still. This will likely become a major hurricane," he posted. "Even if this doesn't make landfall, a close approach would still cause some problems. Still a very large spread, and details remain unclear. As it develops, the track will become clearer." Models are shifting WEST for Tropical Storm Erin, which will shortly become Hurricane Erin. Though the odds are low of a US landfall, it CANNOT be ruled out still. This will likely become a major hurricane. Even if this doesn't make landfall, a close approach would still cause… — Max Velocity (@MaxVelocityWX) August 12, 2025 AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva told Newsweek that there has been a southward shift in some of the forecast models, which moves the storm closer to the Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico. Those areas could see between 1 to 2 inches of rain as the storm passes by. "Since the trend has been further south, that does increase the chance slightly of a U.S. landfall," DaSilva said. Even if the storm doesn't make landfall, some impacts could still be felt on the East Coast, such as dangerous rip currents. As of Tuesday morning, there are no hazards affecting land and no watches or warnings in effect for coastal areas. What People Are Saying DaSilva told Newsweek: "I still think the most likely scenario is a track somewhere between the Outer Banks [of North Carolina] and Bermuda. DaSilva added: "However, due to the fact that this storm has been moving a little further south and west, that can certainly increase the chance it can come closer to the United States." NHC in a recent key message issued for Tropical Storm Erin: "It is still too early to determine what impacts, if any, Erin may bring to the northern Leeward Islands, Bermuda, or the east coast of the United States. As we approach the climatological peak of the hurricane season, this is an opportune time to ensure your preparedness plans are in place." What Happens Next Erin could become a hurricane as soon as Thursday morning. People in nearby areas, such as the Leeward Islands and the East Coast, should monitor local weather guidance as the storm develops.