The National Hurricane Center is off to a busy start this week, watching three tropical storms churn in the Atlantic. The good news for the Gulf Coast is that none of these storms are a threat for our area at this time.
Tropical Storm Lorenzo is the newest named system as of 10 a.m. central Monday, with maximum winds of 40 miles per hour as it moved westward at 18 miles per hour.
Lorenzo is expected to reach hurricane status by mid-week before curving towards the open waters of the Atlantic.
The NHC describes Tropical Storm Karen as "not well-organized" but still bringing a threat of tropical storm force winds and heavy rainfall to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands.
Forecasters note that, with Karen's somewhat sloppy makeup as of Monday, it's possible the system weakens into a tropical wave before approaching the islands.
Bermuda remains under a tropical storm warning thanks to Jerry, which is expected to curve eastwards and pass by the island on Wednesday. Large swells, causing life-threatening rip currents, are also a concern.