Tropical Storm Earl forms in Caribbean Sea

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Tropical Storm Earl has formed in the northwestern portion of the Caribbean Sea. Earl is centered about 200 miles south-southeast of Grand Cayman

The National Hurricane Center upgraded Invest 97-L to Tropical Storm Earl Tuesday afternoon. Data from an Air Force reconnaissance plane, Hurricane Hunters, indicate that the strong tropical wave we have been tracking for days has developed a closed circulation center. Earl is the fifth named storm of the season.

The system’s forecast track has Earl moving westward across the Caribbean Sea over the north coast of Honduras, Belize, and the Yucatan Peninsula. It is expected to strengthen to near hurricane strengthen before making landfall later this week. No direct impacts are expected on the United States.

You get the latest tropical update in the WWAY Hurricane Center.