An Atlantic tropical storm could become Hurricane Nigel soon. What the forecast says

The National Hurricane Center is tracking Tropical Storm Nigel, a strengthening system in the Atlantic. It could develop into a major hurricane next week.

Here are the details:

Where is the storm?

Nigel is about 990 miles northeast of the Lesser Antilles, according to the National Hurricane Center’s 11 a.m. Sunday advisory.

How strong is it and will it get stronger?

On Sunday morning, maximum sustained winds were 60 mph with higher gusts.

“Additional strengthening is expected and Nigel will likely become a hurricane tonight or on Monday,” the advisory said. “Nigel is forecast to approach major hurricane intensity by mid-week.”

National Hurricane Center’s forecast map for Tropical Storm Nigel on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.
National Hurricane Center’s forecast map for Tropical Storm Nigel on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.

Where is it heading?

Nigel is moving toward the northwest at about 13 mph. It is expected to stay this course over the next several days. After that, the NHC predicts that Nigel will turn north by late Tuesday and then northeast.

Will it affect Florida?

The NHC’s forecast track shows the system turning into a hurricane on Monday and turn away from Bermuda by Wednesday morning.

Nigel is projected to turn into open Atlantic waters — far from the U.S. — by Thursday morning.

Watches/warnings

There are no watches or warnings in effect. The NHC also says Nigel poses no threat to land at this time.

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Where is former Hurricane Lee?

Lee, now a post-tropical cyclone, made landfall in Nova Scotia around 4 p.m. Saturday. It’s expected to dissipate on Tuesday.

The NHC says Atlantic Canada should expect gusty conditions on Sunday. Dangerous surf and rip tide currents will continue to affect the U.S. East Coast, Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Haiti, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico through Monday.

Where is former Tropical Storm Margot?

Margot, now a post-tropical cyclone, is expected to strengthen back into a Tropical Storm by Tuesday afternoon, though that will be short-lived, according to the NHC. It should dissipate some time after Tuesday.