Cristobal forms as hurricane season reaches peak
Tropical Storm Cristobal formed on Sunday in the Atlantic Ocean, just to the northwest of the Bahamas. Cristobal is the third named tropical cyclone of the 2014 Atlantic hurricane season, and like Hurricanes Arthur and Bertha before it, Cristobal is forecast to attain hurricane strength later this week. Although the storm is forecast to become a hurricane, it will not pose a threat to the United States, as strong mid-level westerly winds are forecast to sweep the storm out to sea.
However, another tropical cyclone could be developing in its wake: A disorganized group of showers and thunderstorms is currently traveling westward in the Atlantic Ocean between the coast of Africa and the Lesser Antilles. The National Hurricane Center gives this system a 30 percent chance of becoming a tropical cyclone by the end of the week.
Closer to home, summer-like weather will continue this week, with sunshine and warm temperatures being the key players as a high pressure system dominates the northeastern United States. In fact, an offshore breeze could help temperatures top the 90 °F mark on Wednesday. If the temperature surpasses 92 °F, tomorrow would be the warmest day of the year so far.