MIAMI _ Tropical Storm Don will likely fizzle Wednesday as it encounters dry air and high upper winds in the southeastern Caribbean, National Hurricane Center forecasters said Tuesday.
The storm, located 120 miles east, southeast of Grenada at 5 p.m. EDT, was moving west at about 22 mph with sustained winds of 40 mph, forecasters said. While satellite data indicated the compact storm may have lost its eye Tuesday, a hurricane hunter plane was scheduled to take a closer look later in the evening.
As the storm crosses the Windward Islands Tuesday night, it's expected to dump heavy rain, increasing the risk of dangerous mudslides. Rainfall could reach as much as 6 inches, with higher amounts in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and the southern Windward Islands through Wednesday.
Forecasters say Don will likely loose steam as it crosses the southeastern Caribbean and hits dry air and stiff wind shear. A brisk pace propelled by trade winds could also cause it to weaken. They expect the storm to be a depression in a day and completely break up within 36 hours. Gusty winds from its remnants, however, may continue.
National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration forecasters said the Atlantic Ocean's 2017 hurricane season will likely be above normal, with 11 to 17 named storms, five to nine hurricanes and two to four major storms.
The fourth named storm of the season did not take long to draw the attention of the Twittersphere, which began cranking out jokes about one of its most high-profile users, President Donald Trump. Political commentator Ana Navarro called the storm a "lot of hot air, going around in circles," while others posted pictures of the president's windblown hair.
A tropical storm warning has been issued for Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. A watch is in effect for Bonaire.
Forecasters are also keeping an eye on a second tropical wave in the Central Atlantic. The system could intensify gradually over the next two days, but will then encounter less hospitable conditions. Odds of a cyclone forming are just 30 percent over the next five days.
