RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Tropical Storm Franklin is now 155 miles east-northeast of Grand Turk Island, and is now moving into the open Atlantic at 8 miles per hour.
The storm unfortunately turned deadly with its heavy rains and strong winds, and as of the 5 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center, Frankin still has sustained winds of 60 miles per hour.
The latest forecast track has tropical storm Franklin moving east-northeast through Friday before turning north, then northwest where it could become a hurricane by Saturday. From there, Franklin will move generally to the north near Bermuda by early next week, possibly as a Category 2 hurricane.
While it is something we should watch this weekend and next week, a direct impact to North Carolina from Franklin is unlikely, however rough surf and rip currents are certainly possible along the North Carolina coast and beaches by the first part of the next work week.
OTHER AREAS TO WATCH
As of 2 p.m. Thursday, the National Hurricane Center is watching three other disturbances with one grabbing the attention of many forecasters near Central America.
There’s a 60% chance of tropical development over the next seven days near the Yucatán Peninsula. The disturbance will move into the Caribbean this weekend, then north where it could gain strength in the Gulf. We’ll be watching this closely as moisture could spin up into North Carolina if ingredients, including the set up of a front, set up just right.
It’s way too soon still but something we’ll be watching closely.
There are two other waves deep in the Atlantic that both have odds for development of 50% within the next 7 days, but both are expected to stay in the Atlantic and not bring impacts to the United States.
