The National Hurricane Center has marked an area of low pressure off the Georgia coast as “potential tropical cyclone 10.” The wording may seem elaborate, but it means that this disturbance could become a tropical storm very soon. Because of its close proximity to land, this designation will allow the National Weather Service to issue tropical storm watches before
the disturbance reaches tropical storm strength. If this disturbance develops into a tropical storm as expected, it will be Irma. As of the 11AM advisory, the potential tropical cyclone is expected to reach tropical storm strength by Tuesday. Winds within that area of low pressure already have speeds of 35 mph. Tropical storm watches and warnings extend along the North and South Carolina coasts. The storm will move northeast into the Atlantic again. MORE
