FIRST ALERT: Tropical Storms Danielle and Earl gaining strength in the Atlantic

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – Tropical Storm Earl has formed in the Atlantic while Danielle weakens to a tropical storm continues to spin in the North Atlantic

TROPICAL STORM EARL

At 5 AM, the center of Tropical Storm Earl was located near latitude 19.5 North, longitude 64.9 West. Earl is moving toward the west-northwest near 8 mph, and this motion is expected to continue today. A decrease in forward speed and a gradual turn toward the northwest and then north is forecast to begin tonight and continue through Tuesday.

On the forecast track, the center of Earl is expected to pass to the north of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico today, and then move away from the islands tonight and Monday. Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph with higher gusts. Slow strengthening is expected during the next few days.

Earl is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated totals of 6 inches, across the Leeward Islands, U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico on Sunday. Limited flash, urban, and small stream flooding impacts are possible. Rapid rises on rivers and mudslides in areas of steep terrain are also possible, especially across the central interior region of Puerto Rico.

Earl is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated totals of 6 inches, across the Leeward Islands, U.S. and British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico through this weekend.

Gusty winds, especially in squalls, are possible across the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico through the weekend.

HURRICANE DANIELLE

At 5am, the center of Hurricane Danielle was located near latitude 38.1 North, longitude 45.2 West. Danielle has moved little over the past few hours, but the hurricane is expected to begin a slow motion toward the north today.

A slightly faster northeastward motion is forecast to begin tonight and continue during the next couple of days. Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph with higher gusts. Some gradual strengthening is forecast through Monday. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles (30 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles

Copyright 2022 WMBF. All rights reserved.