The National Hurricane Center has named Tropical Storm Peter in the Atlantic 170 miles east-northeast of the Leeward Islands.
Peter has max winds of 50 mph and is moving west-northwest at 15 mph.
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Models show Tropical Storm Peter tracking west then weakening as it gets pushed to the northeast due to a strong cold front. This would be best case scenario keeping the storm away from Florida and the East Coast.
TRACKING THE TROPICS: Interactive hurricane map
11 AM Discussion:
The center of Tropical Storm Peter was located near latitude 19.5 North, longitude 60.9 West. Peter is moving toward the west-northwest near 15 mph. This general motion is expected to continue during the next couple of days, followed by a turn to the northwest with a decrease in forward speed on Wednesday. On the forecast track, the center of Peter will pass north of the northern Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico through Tuesday. Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that the maximum sustained remain near 50 mph with higher gusts. Slow weakening is forecast during the next few days. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure based on aircraft data is 1007 mb or 29.74 inches.
Hazards:
RAINFALL: Rainfall around the southern periphery of Tropical Storm Peter could produce rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches, with locally higher amounts possible, across portions of the Northern Leeward Islands, including the Virgin Islands, as well as Puerto Rico through Tuesday. This rainfall may lead to areas of urban and small stream flooding.
SURF: Swells generated by Peter are expected to affect the northern Leeward Islands early this week, and then reach the Bahamas by midweek. These swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.