Tropical Update: Emily Fizzles, But Will the Storm Make a Comeback?

Tropical Storm Emily is no longer a named storm. Emily weakened considerably as it interacted with Hispaniola. The remnants of the once tropical storm are now moving northwest at 16 miles per hour and the area of low pressure has top winds of around 35 miles per hour.

Just because the storm weakened does not mean that the rainfall has let up. In fact, parts of Hispaniola will still see anywhere from six to 12 inches of rain when all is said and done.

So, what happens with Emily's remnants from here?


The latest radar imagery of this area of low pressure in the Atlantic indicates the chance for the low wanting to split in two and head off in separate directions. This will have to be monitored closely. If this were to happen, one piece would head towards the Gulf of Mexico and the other piece would continue on the current northwest track of the low. Some restrengthening isn't out of the question just yet either. That's option one.

Option two. Emily's remnants would continue on a northwest track as a whole and begin to veer off into the Atlantic over the next 48 hours or so. Still, some minor restrengthening is possible within this time frame once the area of low pressure passes land and reaches the Atlantic again.

The image below shows what computer models think will happen with these remnants. You can see both possibilities discusses above are visible, while the more likely scenario is option two.

Tropical Update: Tropical Storm Emily to Reach Bahamas Tomorrow, Hurricane Eugene Starts Weakening in Pacific

Tropical Storm Emily still has top winds of 50 miles per hour, according to the 11pm update from the National Hurricane Center Wednesday night. The storm is crawling West at five miles per hour.

Emily will pick up speed throughout the next 24 hours and is expected to reach the Bahamas by Friday.

Currently, Tropical Storm Warnings are posted for the southern coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Engano westward to the southern border with Haiti, the northern coast of the Dominican Republic from Cabo Francis Viejo westward to the northern border with Haiti, Haiti, southeastern and central Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands, Guantanamo and Holguin provinces in Eastern Cuba.

A Tropical Storm Watch is up for the northwestern Bahamas. These areas can expect anywhere from six to 12 inches of rainfall over the next 48 hours, with locally higher amounts to near 20 inches.

You can see Tropical Storm Emily's projected path below. The storm may have an impact on southeastern Florida this weekend before taking a turn to the northeast and heading out into the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Southern Florida residents should monitor their forecasts closely over the next 24 to 48 hours.

Tropical Update: Emily Eyes Caribbean, Pacific Hurricane Eugene Poses No Threat

Tropical Storm Warnings are up for Puerto Rico, The Dominican Republic and Haiti as Tropical Storm Emily, the fifth named storm of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season, continues to churn in the Caribbean. The good news is, it does not look likely that Emily will strengthen enough to be upgraded to a hurricane.

Tropical Storm Watches are posted for the US Virgin Islands and the Southeast Bahamas.

As of 5PM EDT, Emily had top winds of 50 miles per hour, moving West at 14 miles per hour and is currently centered less than 185 miles South-Southeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Residents of the areas under Tropical Storm Warnings and Watches should be prepared for potentially life-threatening rainfall, storm surges up to around two feet, damaging tropical storm force sustained winds and wind gusts over 60 miles per hour.

Tropical Storm conditions will take place in Puerto Rico tonight, and the storm could produce up to six inches of rain, with locally higher amounts in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Haiti by the time Emily passes through by Thursday.

Over the next two days, Emily is projected to make a turn to the Northwest. The storm will pass over Hispaniola by late tomorrow and will head into the Bahamas Thursday. 

Right now, it does not look like Emily poses a threat to the US mainland; however, this is something that will need to be watched closely, as there is the chance this could change. At this time, Emily should move out to sea after crossing the Bahamas late this week.