Saturday evening Tropics check (09/15/2018)

TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- The tropics continue to remain very active with three named storms, and two disturbances in the Atlantic Basin.

Tropical Storm Florence continues to pound the Carolinas and Virginia with heavy rain, strong winds, and flooding. This storm is about 60 miles west of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and is only moving at 2 mph toward the west. Winds are sustained at 45 mph, with stronger gusts.

Over the next day or so, Florence will continue to very slowly move further inland, before making a turn toward the north and northeast. Florence will slowly weaken, though heavy rain and stronger winds may be possible for some areas as it moves over the Northeast and into the Atlantic Ocean.

Tropical Storm Helene is sitting about 75 miles northwest of the western Azores with sustained winds of 65 mph. This storm is moving toward the northeast at 24 mph.

It's expected that Helene will pick up speed over the next few days. As it continues to push toward the United Kingdom, the water will be getting colder, and the upper level wind shear will increase. This means that Helene will continue weakening as is presses onward toward Ireland and beyond.

Tropical Storm Joyce is also in the northeast Atlantic Ocean, about 800 west southwest of the Azores. This storm has winds sustained at 45 mph. 

Joyce will stay near the Azores over the next several days, before turning toward the southeast by mid-week. Gradual weakening is forecast, and may dissipate completely before this next week is over.

The Remnants of Isaac are now a tropical wave in the central Caribbean Sea. Very slow re-development may be possible as this disturbed weather moves into the northwest Caribbean. Beyond that, upper level winds will be much less favorable for organization. Because of this, there is only a 20% chance of formation in the next five days. Regardless of formation, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and eastern Cuba may encounter heavy rain and strong winds.

A second area of disturbed weather is sitting southeast of Bermuda. This has only a 10% chance of development in the next five days.