TROPICAL STORM WATCH ISSUED FOR US GULF COAST

A tropical storm watch was issued at the weekend for the US Gulf coast from the Florida/Alabama border westward into Louisiana with the development of potential tropical cyclone 7 north of eastern Cuba. With the storm expected to track to the northwest and attain tropical storm strength Monday afternoon, the US National Hurricane Centre advised interests in the Florida Keys and Florida’s Gulf coast to monitor the system’s progress. The storm is expected to pass over the keys on Monday and reach the watch area by early Wednesday. Forecasters have given the system an 80% chance of developing into a cyclone within 48 hours. Meanwhile, tropical storm Florence has developed in the Atlantic round 700 miles west/northwest in the Cabo Verde Islands. It is expected to turn to the northwest during the week and move in the general direction of Bermuda.