The Tropics are Heating Up with Two Systems on the Horizon! (Photo Credit: National Hurricane Center)

The tropics are heating up as two systems form in the Atlantic and Caribbean. The first system to form was Tropical Storm Bret, in the Atlantic Ocean. In the above image, the remnants of Tropical Storm Bret are in the bottom right-hand corner. As of June 20, 2017, the National Hurricane Center has discontinued all watches and warnings for the system as it will continue to weaken. With sustained winds at 40 MPH, and headed WNW, the remnants of Bret will only pose a heavy rainfall and high wind gust threat. Tropical Storm Cindy, however, has maximum sustained winds at 45 MPH and is headed towards the Texas and Louisiana coast. In the image above, Tropical Storm Cindy is located within the yellow circle. The National Hurricane Center has issued Tropical Storm Warnings along Louisiana’s coast and the eastern Texas coast. While Cindy is not expected to strengthen to a hurricane, damaging winds and very heavy rainfall will accompany the storm as it moves inland. As it stands, Cindy will make landfall on Thursday, so people need to prepare today. Once Cindy moves inland, she will start to make a turn eastward and will dissipate. Looking at the potential rainfall forecast, 10 + inches of rain are expected along the Mississippi coastline as the rain bands are located to the north and east of the center.
 
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ⓒ 2017 Meteorologist Brandie Cantrell