Forecasters say Sebastien could become a Cat 1 soon. Here’s where it’s going
Tropical Storm Sebastien is continuing to strengthen as it barrels across the Central Atlantic and forecasters say it could become a Category 1 hurricane by this weekend.
Based on its current track, the system won’t be a threat to Florida or the rest of the United States.
Where is it going?
The storm, which is about 445 miles north-northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands, has sped up to nearly nine mph’s after a slight slowdown Wednesday. Its speed should increase in the next few days, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Sebastien’s maximum sustained winds are almost 60 mph with higher gusts, according to the center’s 5 p.m. advisory Thursday.
The system is forecast to see some additional strengthening in the next 24 hours and could become a Category 1 hurricane as early as Friday.
But Sebastien’s threat will be short-lived.
Forecasters say the storm has started to interact with an incoming cold front and has entered an “apparently unfavorable environment” with strong shear and cooler waters. It’s expected to begin weakening late Friday.
The system is then forecast to become an extratropical cyclone Saturday as it merges with the cold front.
But based on how close the front is to it, forecasters say the extratropical transition could occur earlier than expected.
The 18th named storm of the season formed Tuesday morning only days from the end of hurricane season on Nov. 30.
This story was originally published November 19, 2019 at 10:36 AM.
