Some additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours.
Tropical Storm Elsa strengthened more by Thursday afternoon as it races toward the Windward Islands and the Caribbean. A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for portions of Haiti as the rapidly moving storm continues to move west-northwestward. The National Hurricane Center’s cone of uncertainty has all of South Florida in the storm’s path. While it is too soon to determine what, if any, impacts could occur in Florida next week, all residents are encouraged to monitor the storm and make preparations. Elsa could approach Florida early next week, according to the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network. ► Track Tropical Storm Elsa Keeping a close eye: Surfside rescue teams keep watchful eye on the Atlantic; one tropical system could develop, but path uncertain Should you go or stay?: Should you evacuate if a hurricane is coming? Here are answers to some of your questions. Wet weather: Record rains fall in Miami while tropical disturbances loom in the Atlantic Ocean AccuWeather meteorologists are concerned that Elsa could strengthen quickly into a hurricane as it approaches the Windward Islands. The storm is about 1,992 miles away from where rescue efforts continue at the site of the collapsed condominium in Surfside. Elsa became the earliest E storm on record, beating out Edouard, which formed July 6, 2020. Elsa is the fifth tropical storm of the season in the Atlantic. Here’s the latest update from the NHC as of 5 p.m. July 1: The center of Tropical Storm Elsa is located about 410 miles east-southeast of Barbados and about 520 miles east-southeast of St. Vincent. Maximum sustained winds remain at 45 mph, with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast over the next 48 hours. Atlantic hurricane season 2021: What you need to know about forecasts, when it starts, when to prepare The NHC forecast calls for winds up to 65 mph by Saturday, just short of a category 1 hurricane. A category 1 storm has winds of 74 to 95 mph.
