Tropical Storm Jerry formed on Tuesday in the central Atlantic Ocean, marking the 10th named storm of the 2025 hurricane season. According to the National Hurricane Center, Jerry is about 1,300 miles east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands, which include islands like the Virgin Islands and Guadeloupe.
As of Tuesday evening, Jerry had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph and was moving westward at 23 mph. Forecasters expect it to strengthen over the next few days and potentially become a hurricane. A tropical storm watch has been issued for the Caribbean islands of Barbuda, Anguilla, St. Barthelemy, Saint Martin, and Sint Maarten.
Jerry is predicted to pass near or north of the northern Leewards around Thursday or Friday. While it may not make landfall, it will generate dangerous swells that could lead to life-threatening surf and rip currents. Up to 4 inches of rain could fall in the Leeward Islands, raising the risk of flash floods.
Jerry follows a string of Atlantic storms, including Hurricane Humberto and Hurricane Imelda, which both formed at the end of September. Despite initial concerns that they could hit Bermuda, only Imelda made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane, causing some impacts along the coast.
This hurricane season has been relatively calm so far. Historically, the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November. This year, Jerry is the 10th named storm, but only one of the other nine storms, Chantal, made landfall in the U.S.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had initially predicted 13 to 19 named storms this season, with up to nine becoming hurricanes. However, as the season progressed, NOAA revised its outlook in August, estimating 13 to 18 named storms and five to nine hurricanes. It serves as a reminder that predictions can change as conditions in the ocean and atmosphere evolve.
Recent tweet trends show concern among residents in the path of the storm, with many sharing safety tips and storm preparation advice. The impacts of Jerry remind us of the ongoing risks that hurricanes pose, even in quieter seasons.
For more detailed information on the specifics of storm tracking, you can visit the National Hurricane Center.
Source link
Tropical Storm, Hurricane, National Hurricane Center