Tropical Depression Four develops as Bret weakens. See spaghetti models, expected impacts
Tropical Storm Bret is very near Barbados as a strong tropical storm, while Tropical Depression Four is expected to become a tropical storm soon, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.
Maximum sustained winds for Bret remain at 65 mph.
Farther to the east, Tropical Depression Four is moving west-northwest and is expected to become a tropical storm in the next day or so.
The next named storm of the season will be Cindy.
A tropical depression has a defined circulation with sustained winds of at least 35 mph. A tropical storm has a well-defined circulation with sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph. A system doesn't become a hurricane until sustained winds reach 74 mph.
'Unprecedented' hurricane season: Tropical Storm Bret and (possible) Cindy may mean active hurricane season ahead
The National Hurricane Center also is monitoring two tropical waves in the Atlantic basin, including one in the Caribbean.
Here's the latest update from the NHC as of 5 p.m. June 22:
Tropical Storm Bret path
Location: 15 miles north-northwest of Barbados; 100 miles east-southeast of St. Lucia; 1,648 miles southeast of West Palm Beach
Maximum sustained winds: 65 mph
Movement: west at 16 mph
Pressure: 1002 mb
Latest on Tropical Storm Bret: Tropical Storm Bret grows stronger, slows down. See spaghetti models, expected impact
Tropical Storm Bret: See spaghetti models, expected impact as Bret approaches Caribbean
Tropical Depression Four path
Location: 1,190 miles east of the Lesser Antilles
Maximum sustained winds: 35 mph
Movement: west-northwest at 14 mph
Pressure: 1007 mb
➤ Track Tropical Depression Four
Latest on Tropical Depression 4: Tropical Depression Four expected to strengthen and may become Tropical Storm Cindy
What's out there and where are they?
Tropical Storm Bret: At 5 p.m., the center of Tropical Storm Bret was located 15 miles north-northwest of Barbados. Exact location: near latitude 13.4 North, longitude 59.6 West.
Tropical Depression Four: At 5 p.m., the center of Tropical Depression Four was located 1,190 miles east of the Lesser Antilles. Exact location: near latitude 11.5 North, longitude 44.0 West.
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Tropical wave 1: An Atlantic Ocean tropical is located just off the coast of Africa west of Senegal. It's moving west at 8 mph. Exact location: 22W from 14N south.
Tropical wave 2: A tropical wave in the Caribbean Sea is located northeast of Puerto Rico. It's moving west at 13 mph. Exact location: 77W from 19N south.
How likely are they to strengthen?
Tropical Storm Bret: At 5 p.m., maximum sustained winds remain near 65 mph, with higher gusts. Gradual weakening is anticipated over the next couple of days, and the system is likely to dissipate over the central Caribbean Sea by Saturday night or early Sunday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles from the center.
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Tropical Depression Four: Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph, with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the few days, and the depression is expected to become a tropical storm soon. A weakening trend is forecast to commence over the weekend.
Who is likely to be impacted?
Tropical Storm Bret: There is a risk of flooding from heavy rainfall, strong winds, and dangerous waves along the coast within the warning area.
Tropical Depression Four: The depression is forecast to turn northwest toward a weakness in the ridge east of the Leeward Islands. It's too early to determine impact to any areas.
Forecasters urge all residents to continue monitoring the tropics and to always be prepared.
Weather watches and warnings issued for your area
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When is the Atlantic hurricane season?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
When is the peak of hurricane season?
The peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the Hurricane Center.
Tropical forecast over the next seven days
Excessive rainfall forecast
What's out there?
Systems currently being monitored by the National Hurricane Center.
What's next?
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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: NHC tracking Tropical Storm Bret, Tropical Depression 4. Forecast path
