Tropical Storm Jose forecast to fizzle

The storm, which had threatened the small island of Bermuda, is weakening significantly.

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Monday August 29, 2011 – Tropical Storm Jose, which formed near Bermuda yesterday and triggered a storm warning for the tiny Caribbean island, is expected to begin dissipating today.

Jose formed to the south-southwest of Bermuda yesterday morning, threatening to drench the island with heavy rains.

However, by the end of the day the warning had been called off and this morning the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) in Miami said Jose was racing northward over the north Atlantic and should lose its storm characteristics later today.

The system was located 340 miles north of Bermuda at 5 am, with maximum sustained winds near 40 miles per hour.

“Some weakening is forecast and Jose is expected to lose its tropical characteristics later today and dissipate by early Tuesday,” the NHC said.

Meantime, another tropical depression has formed off the southernmost Cape Verde Islands and forecasters say it could become a tropical storm later today. Maximum sustained winds are currently near 35 miles per hour. Click here to receive free news bulletins via email from Caribbean360. (View sample)