ATLANTIC

Tropical Depression Three has formed in the east-central Atlantic about 740 miles west-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands.

T.D. 3 is still consolidating and will move westward over the open tropical Atlantic over the next few days, steadily gaining strength.

Tropical Depression Two reformed in the Atlantic last night, and has now strengthened to minimal Tropical Storm Ana. This makes it the first named storm of the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

Ana is located about 920 miles east of the Leeward Islands. Maximum winds are near 40 mph.

Ana is battling some westerly shear. The thunderstorms are off to the east of the exposed center.

The northern Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Cuba and south Florida all need to monitor the progress of Ana.

In the western Atlantic, a tropical wave and associated surge of tropical moisture are moving away from Hispaniola and the Bahamas, across Cuba and southern Florida, and the eastern Gulf. Breezy conditions along with showers and thunderstorms will likely impact this region, but upper-level winds remain unfavorable for any development at this time.

This surge of tropical moisture will impact parts of the Southeastern states this weekend, bringing increased chances of showers and thunderstorms.

yup looks like hurricane season is here

Down here in Florida we are getting afternoon storms everyday so it is definately starting. I'll be in the basement. hehehe

lol we get the big storms when your done with em shotgun,,they come right up the coast

lol we get the big storms when your done with em shotgun,,they come right up the coastYes sir. Hope we take some of the sting out for ya up there. hehehe

hope so lol

I,m expected to get hit by Tropical Storm Ana on Monday night , it's expected to slowly strengthen as it heads west toward the Leeward Islands, forecasters said Saturday.


Tropical Storm Ana is seen in a satellite image taken Saturday over the mid-Atlantic.

As of 11 a.m. ET, Ana was about 920 miles east of the Leeward Islands, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida.

The center said a tropical storm watch might be issued for the islands later Saturday, and advised the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to monitor the storm's progress.

Ana, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, was moving west at about 16 mph, the hurricane center said.

The storm was expected to turn west-northwest over the next few days, putting it near the Leeward Islands on Monday, the center said.

Ana is the first named storm of the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season.