Tropical Storm Dolly forms in Atlantic, poses rain threat for Caribbean
Tropical Storm Dolly has formed over the central Atlantic and could bring heavy rain and flash flooding to parts of the Caribbean this weekend before weakening, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).
The storm formed Thursday morning about 1,555 miles east of the Leeward Islands. At 5 p.m. AST, Dolly had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and was moving west at about 24 mph.
Dolly is expected to continue moving quickly westward for the next few days as it heads toward the Leeward Islands. No coastal watches or warnings are in effect.
The hurricane center said dry air, increasing wind shear and Dolly’s fast forward movement are likely to prevent further strengthening. The storm is forecast to weaken into a tropical wave on Friday or Saturday before reaching the Leeward Islands.
Heavy rain from Dolly or its remnants could affect the Leeward Islands late Saturday into Sunday, with possible impacts in the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Hispaniola from Sunday into Monday. Flash flooding is possible, especially in higher terrain.
Dolly is the fourth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which has trended below average so far in part because a strong El Niño in the Pacific has hindered storm formation in the Atlantic.
The storm’s name drew attention online after the death of singer Dolly Parton two days earlier. The hurricane center said the timing was “purely coincidental,” noting that Atlantic storm names come from six pre-determined rotating lists maintained by the World Meteorological Organization.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
