Hurricane Kirk forms; NHC monitors Invest 91-L, Caribbean disturbance – WESH 2 Orlando
Hurricane Kirk is moving toward the northwest at 12 mph.
Category 1 Kirk expected to become major hurricane; Tropical Storm Leslie forms behind it
After Kirk’s upgrade to a hurricane on Tuesday night, the National Hurricane Center says they are expecting the system to become even stronger soon.
Currently about 1,165 miles east northeast of the Lesser Antilles, Hurricane Kirk currently has maximum sustained wind speeds of 125 mph, making it a Category 1 storm. The current minimum central pressure is 952 mb.
>> Tropical Leslie forms, scroll down for details
According to the NHC, Kirk is currently moving northwest at 12 mph, with that same general northwest movement to continue for the next few days as the system strengthens over the Atlantic.
Though the NHC says Kirk is forecast to become a major hurricane by Thursday, there are currently no watches, warnings or threats to land.
The only hazard being tracked by the NHC are swells that could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions in the Leeward Islands and Bermuda, mostly a threat this weekend.
In addition to Kirk and on the heels of devastating Hurricane Helene, the NHC is monitoring multiple disturbances across the Atlantic and Caribbean.
RELATED: Chopper 2 video shows extensive Hurricane Helene damage in St. Pete Beach, Tampa Bay, Fort Myers
Here is everything the NHC is monitoring right now.
Tropical Storm Leslie
Tropical Depression Thirteen was upgraded to Tropical Storm Leslie on Wednesday night.
As the storm moves slowly westward over the eastern tropical Atlantic, the NHC says environmental conditions appear conducive for further development.
Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is forecast, and the depression could become a tropical storm by Wednesday night.
The minimum central pressure is 1005 mb.
Trough of low pressure — Caribbean Sea
The NHC is closely monitoring an area of low pressure in the Caribbean Sea that could form into a tropical depression while moving into the Gulf of Mexico.
According to the NHC, interests along the United States Gulf Coast, including Florida, should monitor this system closely.
Click here for the latest on this system.
Related: WESH 2 Hurricane Survival Guide 2024
Related: Surviving the Season | 2024 Hurricane Special from WESH 2
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The First Warning Weather team includes First Warning Chief Meteorologist Tony Mainolfi, Eric Burris, Kellianne Klass, Marquise Meda and Cam Tran.
Source: WESH Orlando