Tropical Storm Philippe has made its presence known in the Atlantic Ocean, bringing maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. As of its 5 p.m.[0] Sunday update, it was located about 1,225 miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands and moving west at 12 mph. The storm's winds blow at tropical storm force up to 115 mph from the center.[1] Philippe is expected to maintain its intensity as it moves westward, gradually strengthening and potentially reaching hurricane strength by the middle of the week.
The storm's current position is near 16.2N 41.7W as of 11 AM EDT, and it is moving west at 10 kt. It is expected to move to 16.5N 43.3W this evening, 16.9N 45.6W Mon morning, 17.4N 47.8W Mon evening, 18.0N 49.7W Tue morning, 18.9N 51.0W Tue evening, and 20.0N 52.5W Wed morning. Philippe is forecasted to change little in intensity as it moves to near 22.5N 54.5W early Thu.[2]
While Philippe has maintained its strength as a tropical storm, with sustained winds of 45 kt and gusts to 55 kt, it is expected to gradually strengthen over the next few days. The storm's central pressure remains at 1000 mb.[3] Philippe is currently moving west at 9 mph and is located 1,155 miles west of Africa's Cabo Verde Islands.
As of Sunday afternoon, Tropical Storm Philippe is positioned in the central Atlantic, with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. It is located roughly 1,500 miles east-northeast of the Lesser Antilles and is moving to the west at 15 mph.[4] Forecasters expect its winds to strengthen to 65 mph by midweek.[4] The storm's slow westward movement will continue for a few more days until it encounters a high-pressure trough that will steer it north.[4]
According to the National Hurricane Center, Philippe is forecasted to remain at tropical storm strength as it moves northwest. The storm is expected to maintain maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. Environmental conditions are conducive for gradual development, and there is a possibility that a tropical depression may form around midweek. The weather system is forecasted to move westward to west-northwestward in the central tropical Atlantic Ocean.[5]
Forecasters predict that environmental conditions are favorable for gradual development as Philippe moves west-northwestward over the central tropical Atlantic Ocean.[6] There is a 20% chance the system becomes at least a tropical depression over the next 48 hours and a 60% chance over the next seven days.[6] The hurricane center said that a tropical depression could potentially form around midweek as the system moves west-northwestward across the central tropical Atlantic.
The National Hurricane Center has stated that the chances for development have increased for an area of low pressure located several hundred miles south of the Cape Verde Islands in the central tropical Atlantic.[3] Although the system is currently disorganized, it could potentially become a depression by midweek.[3] The odds of development are at 30% for the next two days and 70% for the next seven days.
Tropical Storm Philippe formed in the middle of the tropical Atlantic Ocean on Saturday, becoming the sixteenth named storm of the 2023 season. It is currently moving westward across the central Atlantic and is expected to turn northwestward later this week.[2] The storm is not expected to pose any threat to the United States.
While Philippe is expected to remain a tropical storm for the next five days, it may experience some slow strengthening over the next few days. However, it is forecasted to encounter wind shear that will limit significant intensification.[7]
As hurricane season continues until November 30, forecasters are closely monitoring the development of tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has increased its predictions for named storms this year due to record-warm ocean temperatures that provide fuel for system strengthening.[8]
In conclusion, Tropical Storm Philippe is currently moving westward in the Atlantic Ocean with sustained winds of 50 mph. While there is a possibility of gradual development and potential strengthening, the storm is not expected to pose a significant threat to the United States. As hurricane season continues, it is important to stay updated on the latest forecasts and take necessary precautions in areas that may be affected by tropical storms or hurricanes.
0. “TS Philippe forms, new wave could develop into Rina” Islander News.com, 24 Sep. 2023, https://www.islandernews.com/news/ts-philippe-forms-new-wave-could-develop-into-rina/article_af14c206-5ace-11ee-8d0f-9723a40b044f.html
1. “No more Ophelia. But now, there’s Tropical Storm Philippe and two other systems” Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2023, https://www.miamiherald.com/news/weather/hurricane/article279700064.html
2. “HURRICANE CENTER: Three Systems Now Watched West, East Of Florida” BocaNewsNow.com, 24 Sep. 2023, https://bocanewsnow.com/2023/09/24/hurricane-center-three-systems-now-watched-west-east-of-florida/
3. “Tracking Tropical Storm Philippe and two areas to watch” NBC2 News, 25 Sep. 2023, https://nbc-2.com/news/tropics/2023/09/24/tropical-storm-ophelia-strengthens-landfall-expected-in-north-carolina-saturday-morning/
4. “Tropical Storm Philippe forms in the Atlantic” FOX 8 Local First, 23 Sep. 2023, https://www.fox8live.com/2023/09/23/tropical-storm-philippe-forms-atlantic/
5. “Russell’s First Alert Forecast: Scattered clouds and mild conditions tonight; Quiet weather to start off the week” WITN, 24 Sep. 2023, https://www.witn.com/2023/09/24/russells-first-alert-forecast-scattered-clouds-mild-conditions-tonight-quiet-weather-start-off-week
6. “Tropical Storm Philippe develops in Atlantic; hurricane forecasters monitoring 2 other systems” SILive.com, 24 Sep. 2023, https://www.silive.com/news/2023/09/tropical-storm-philippe-develops-in-atlantic-hurricane-forecasters-monitoring-2-other-systems.html
7. “Tracking Philippe” News 13 Orlando, 24 Sep. 2023, https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/weather/2023/09/23/tracking-philippe
8. “New Tropical Storm Forms In Active Atlantic: Here's Where Philippe's Headed” Daily Voice, 23 Sep. 2023, https://dailyvoice.com/new-york/nassau/new-tropical-storm-forms-in-active-atlantic-heres-where-philippes-headed
