Another storm threatens region as Fiona passes

Tropical Storm Gaston formed about 1,635 miles east of the Lesser Antilles with maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, Thursday September 2, 2010 – No sooner had Tropical Storm Fiona passed the Leeward Islands yesterday were residents told not to drop their guard as another storm had developed and seemed headed on the same path.

Forecasters say Tropical Storm Gaston could pass next Monday on Tuesday.

Keithley Meade, Director of Antigua and Barbuda’s Meterological Services which provides weather information for several Eastern Caribbean countries, said yesterday that although the system is still developing, preliminary forecasts put it on the same track as Hurricane Earl which affected the islands on Monday, and Tropical Storm Fiona which only brought some showers to the islands yesterday.

Tropical Storm Gaston formed about 1,635 miles east of the Lesser Antilles with maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour.

This morning it was moving slowly over the Central Tropical Atlantic with no change in strength.

However, “gradual strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours” according to the National Hurricane Centre in Miami.

The past two weeks have been the busiest in the Atlantic Hurricane Season so far. Danielle, Earl, Fiona and Gaston all formed within 11 days.

The activity falls in line with predictions from the Colorado State University forecast team which said on August 18th, that it expected the following two weeks to be characterized by heightened activity.

Track Tropical Storm Gaston in the Storm Centre.