Tropical Storm Jerry continues to strengthen, other disturbance forms
Wind shear impacting Tropical Storm Jerry
FOX 13 meteorologist Jim Weber has the very latest on the weather in the tropics.
TAMPA, Fla. - Tropical Storm Jerry is gaining strength and is forecast to become a hurricane on Thursday as it approaches the Leeward Islands. A disturbance has also formed in the Bay of Campeche.
Tropical Storm Jerry formed in the Atlantic on Tuesday after first being designated as Invest 95L. If Jerry becomes a hurricane, it would be the fifth of the 2025 season.
As of 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Tropical Storm Jerry was located at 13.9°N 52.7°W., which is less than 900 miles to the east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands.
It had maximum sustained winds of 60 miles per hour and was moving west-northwest at 23 miles per hour.
That general motion is forecast to continue with a decrease in forward speed over the next few days, followed by a turn to the north-northwest and north on Friday.
Will Tropical Storm Jerry hit Florida?
FOX 13 Meteorologist Dave Osterberg says a low-pressure system forming off the coast of Florida that is expected to move up the eastern seaboard is largely responsible for Jerry’s turn to the north.
Tropical Storm Watches
A trough of low pressure in the Bay of Campeche carries only a 10 percent chance of developing before moving inland over Mexico within the next day or so. Regardless of development, it will bring locally heavy rain to the region. If a tropical storm forms, it would take the name "Karen."
Tropical Storm Watches are in effect for several islands, including Antigua, Barbuda and Anguilla, as well as St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, St. Barthelemy, St. Martin, Sint Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius, Guadeloupe and the adjacent islands.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), tropical storm conditions are possible in portions of the northern Leeward Islands within the watch area by late Thursday and Friday.
What's next:
On Thursday, Jerry is expected to dump 2–4 inches of rain across the Leeward Islands, which will increase the risk of flash flooding, particularly in high-elevation areas.
That same pressure system that is pushing Jerry out to sea is expected to pull back a north wind moving through Florida, knocking down our humidity.
The Source: This article was written with information gathered from FOX 13 Meteorologist Dave Osterberg's forecast, the National Hurricane Center and FOX Weather.