Depression Becomes Tropical Storm Josephine

 Tropical Depression Eleven strengthened into Tropical Storm Josephine earlier today, and is now about 850 miles east-southeast of the Northern Leeward Islands. Winds are at 45 mph, and Josephine is moving towards the north-northwest at 16 mph.

Continued strengthening is expected over the next 36 hours, through Friday night. After that, wind shear, the change in wind speed and/or direction over a short distance, will increase, which will cause it to weaken.

Here is the an IR satellite loop from the past couple hours of Josephine, from 3:15pm to 8:15pm

Below is a visible satellite image from 3:15pm this afternoon:

Josephine is the earliest the tenth named storm formed, beating the record set by Jose of 2005 (formed August 22).

A broad area of low pressure is present over North Carolina now, and is expected to move northeast across the Atlantic over the next several days. Some development of this system is possible while over warm Gulf stream waters.