Tropical Depression One Forms
5:00 PM EDT Sat May 16
Location: 28.4°N 78.6°W
Moving: NNE at 13 mph
Min pressure: 1008 mb
Max sustained: 35 mph
Tropical Depression One has officially formed and becomes the first tropical cyclone in the Atlantic Basis in 2020. It has the potential to become Tropical Storm Arthur in the next 24-48 hours as it moves north-northeast off the SE US coast. Currently TD One moving NNE at 13 mph with winds at 35 mph.
The forecast track is east of the GFS and west of the ECMWF forecast models at the time of this post. This would bring the center of the storm close to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Tropical Storm Watches have been issued for coastal counties in the ENC area. The location of strongest winds will be along the coast where wind gusts could reach up to 65 mph over Hatteras.
The coastal counties will also see rainfall totals from the storm to be around 1″ with inland sections seeing lower amounts. How far the rain moves inland will be determined by the track of the storm. A closer track to the coast will bring more rain inland.
Tropical Storm Watches that have already been issued for coastal counties of ENC.
I will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as it becomes available.