Good morning all.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami has updated their forecasts for both Tropical Storm Paulette, and Tropical Storm Rene, which are both still in the central and eastern Atlantic regions, respectively. The NHC is now forecasting that both Paulette and Rene could re-strengthen into hurricanes (sustained winds of 74 to 110 mph) over this coming weekend. However, at this time, Paulette is the primary concern, and those concerns are beginning to focus on the northeastern coastal states, such as MD, DE, NJ, NY, CT, RI, MA, NH and ME. Paulette is expected to reach hurricane force winds as it continues its northwestward track from the central Atlantic to near the island of Bermuda by early Tuesday morning. It’s forecast track then begins to turn more to the north-northwest, but may encounter a strong high pressure system which could keep Paulette from reaching those coastal Northeastern states late next week.

Tropical Storm Rene is also expected to strengthen into a hurricane, but it is not expected to become a threat to the United States.

There is the possibility of a Tropical Depression forming in the eastern Gulf of Mexico later today, and forecasters will be monitoring this system to see if it will develop further over this coming weekend. - Sid Sperry, OAEC