Danielle Again a Category 2 Hurricane; TS Earl Forms in Atlantic

Hurricane Danielle has recovered some strength, and is once again a “category two hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale,” according to the most recent bulletin from the National Hurricane Center in Miami at 11:00 a.m. AST.

The storm is around 630 miles, 1015 kms, north east of the Northern Leeward Islands, and about 770 miles, 1235 kms, south east of Bermuda.

Maximum sustained winds are 105 mph, 165 km/hr, and Danielle is “moving toward the northwest near 15 mph, 24 km/hr. This general motion is expected to continue with a gradual decrease in forward speed over the next couple of days,” said the NHC. “Some strengthening is forecast during the next 24-36 hours, and Danielle could become a major hurricane by tonight or Friday.”

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 40 miles, 65 kms from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 175 miles, 280 kms.

However, according to the 5-day forecast track charted by the NHC, Danielle is expected to turn further north, and would therefore not pose a threat to North America. It is possible, however, that it would come close to Bermuda.

The NHC is also tracking Tropical Storm Earl, which formed out of the low pressure area off the west coast of Africa late yesterday. The storm is presently about 1735 miles, 2795 kms east of the Northern Leeward Islands

Maximum sustained winds are around 45 mph, 75 km/hr with higher gusts. The NHC said “some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Earl could become a hurricane by early Saturday.”

Earl is “moving toward the west near 17 mph, 28 km/hr and a west to west-northwestward motion is expected during the next 48 hours.,” said the NHC. On its projected storm track Earl would pass well north of the outer islands of the Caribbean as well as Puerto Rico.

Source: National Hurricane Center