This browser does not support the Video element.
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.
The Source: This article was written with information from FOX 13 Meteorologist Dave Osterberg's forecast, FOX Weather and the National Hurricane Center.