Tropical Storm Jerry forms in Atlantic and will likely become a hurricane

Tropical Storm Jerry forms in the Atlantic

FOX 13 meteorologist Jim Weber has the latest track on Tropical Storm Jerry.

TAMPA, Fla. - Tropical Storm Jerry formed on Tuesday morning in the Central Atlantic and will likely strengthen into a hurricane this week. 

As of 5 p.m., it was located at 12.0°N 46.4°W., which is about 1,315 miles to the east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands and is moving off to the west at 23 mph and had maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour. 

What's next:

Tropical Storm Jerry is expected to pass near just north of the northern Leeward Islands on Thursday night and early Friday morning. 

READ: One year later: Palmetto's Tropic Isles withstands Hurricanes Helene and Milton

Watches may be issued for a portion of the area on Tuesday afternoon or evening because there is an increased risk of wind, surf and rainfall. 

The NHC said a decrease in forward speed and a turn to the west-northwest is expected over the next few days. 

Many of the computer models have it turning north and away from the United States.

The backstory:

The system was first designated as Invest 95L before becoming Tropical Storm Jerry late Tuesday morning.

A tropical storm is a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained winds between 39 and 73 mph – an upgrade from a tropical depression.

Dig deeper:

Meteorologists are also watching an area of interest near  the Bay of Campeche.

It has a 10 percent chance of developing over the next week.

It is expected to move west into the Bay and will not impact Florida.