Tropical Storm Jerry is expected to become a Category 1 hurricane later this week, but environmental conditions limiting its development may help shield the Leeward Islands from hurricane-force winds and rainfall.
Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center in Miami said Thursday morning that Jerry will likely be out to sea by the time it becomes a hurricane. The NHC's latest track forecast shows Jerry becoming a Category 1 storm by Friday afternoon after passing near the northern Leeward Islands.
With the storm's strongest winds on its east side, forecasters said the islands were unlikely to face sustained tropical storm-force winds.
As of 7 a.m. Thursday, Jerry was located 355 miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands with maximum sustained winds of 65 mph. Forecasters said Jerry was moving west-northwest at 20 mph.
Jerry poses no threat to Louisiana or the Gulf Coast, but a tropical storm watch is in effect for parts of the Caribbean as of Thursday morning.
Forecasters warned people in the Leeward and Virgin Islands should monitor developments on Jerry Island and expect heavy rainfall in some areas.
North Atlantic low pressure area
National Hurricane Center forecasters Thursday morning also highlighted a non-tropical low pressure area hundreds of miles west-northwest of the Azores.
The disturbance produced some showers near its center, with a low chance of development.
While there is some chance of development, forecasters said the system is expected to move into cooler waters with stronger wind shear. This is not a threat to Louisiana.
As of 7 a.m. Thursday, NHC forecasters said there was a 10 percent chance of unrest forming within the next week.