Nadine expected to become a hurricane today

Tropical Storm Nadine is poised to become a hurricane today but expected to pose no real threat to the region beyond sending sea swells to the central and eastern Caribbean.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Thursday, September 13, 2012 – The 14th tropical depression of the season quickly escalated into Tropical Storm Nadine within the last 48 hours and is now expected to strengthen into a hurricane later today (September 13).

As at 5 am Atlantic Standard Time, according to the United States National Hurricane Centre (NHC), Nadine was located at 21.5 degrees north, 51.3 degrees west, or about 800 miles (1285 km) ENE of the northern Leeward Islands with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 km/h) and on a north westerly track moving at 16 mph (26 km/h).

However, forecasters anticipate that Nadine poses no threat to land as she expected to turn north-northwest tonight, followed by a turn toward the north on Friday, then eventually eastward, hence keeping the storm over open waters.

This expected U-turn in the Atlantic will lead Nadine to set her sights on North Africa, possibly making landfall in Morocco if she survives that long.

Predictions are that, with Nadine, the 2012 hurricane season could potentially end up as busy as 2011.

Last year, 19 named storms formed, making it the third busiest season on record along with 2010, 1995 and 1887. The 14th named storm of the 2011 season, Tropical Storm Nate, emerged on September 7.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Leslie moved over Newfoundland, Canada, on Tuesday morning, producing hurricane-force wind gusts and heavy rain. It now has degenerated into a non-tropical low-pressure area.

The NHC also has issued its last advisory on Tropical Storm Michael, which has weakened into a tropical depression. Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)