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Tropical Storm Fernand Strengthens, Heads Towards Bermuda
23 Aug
Summary
- Tropical Storm Fernand formed in the Atlantic on August 19th
- Fernand expected to strengthen into a hurricane by Monday
- Fernand likely to pass east of Bermuda over open water
On August 19th, Tropical Storm Fernand formed in the Atlantic Ocean a few hundred miles south-southeast of Bermuda. According to the latest forecast from the National Hurricane Center, Fernand is expected to continue strengthening over the next 48 hours and could reach hurricane strength by Monday.
The storm is currently moving north-northeast at 15 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. Fernand's tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 105 miles from the center of the system. Forecasters say Fernand should move well east of Bermuda, staying over open water.
In addition to Fernand, the National Hurricane Center is also monitoring a tropical wave several hundred miles east of the Caribbean islands. This system has a 20% chance of developing into a tropical cyclone over the next few days as it moves westward. However, it is not expected to pose a threat to land.
After Fernand and the Caribbean wave pass, the Atlantic hurricane season is expected to take a brief lull into September. But experts warn that lulls in activity are common and do not necessarily mean the threat is over. Last year, a quiet period in late August was followed by a sudden uptick in storm formation, including two major hurricanes that caused widespread destruction.
