UPDATE (11 p.m. 07/05/2018) -- The top sustained winds around Beryl increased to 65 mph, but the storm is still very small in overall diameter. The expectations for movement and future weakening near the Lesser Antilles have not fundamentally changed from earlier in the day.
MIDWAY, Fla. (WTXL) -- A cluster of clouds and rain has developed enough to become the Atlantic hurricane season's second named storm.
Tropical Storm Beryl is about 1,000 miles east of the Lesser Antilles and was moving west late Thursday afternoon at 16 mph.
Peak wind speeds were estimated at 50 mph, with some higher gusts.
Conditions support some strengthening over the next 24 to 48 hours, where the official forecast projects Beryl reaching hurricane strength by early Saturday.
The intensification trend is not expected to persist, as very dry air, faster upper winds, and marginally warm ocean temperatures will likely cause Beryl to degrade into a weaker tropical low. Eventual dissipation is forecast by early next week, but the remnants of the system may continue to move west-northwest through the Caribbean as a source of moisture.
