TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- We are still watching two areas in the tropics though neither one is a direct threat the the United States at this time.
Hurricane Ophelia continues to race northeastward at 38 mph. This is a category 1 storm about 900 miles northeast of the Azores. Sustained winds are near 85 mph with much stronger gusts.
Over the next 12 to 24 hours, Ophelia is expected to become an extra-tropical cyclone and impact Ireland and the United Kingdom. Ophelia is still expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to Southern Ireland Monday morning, and the United Kingdom later that night.
A little closer to home, we have a tropical disturbance about 200 miles north of Hispaniola. This broad area of low pressure is producing many showers and thunderstorm, mainly to the east of the center. Currently, the upper levels are not favorable for formation. As this low pressure continues moving northwestward, the upper levels will become more favorable, though any development will be very slow. This area of interest has a 50% chance of formation in the next five days.
