Tropical Storm Igor May Soon Become Hurricane

Tropical storm Igor became better organized near the Cape Verde Verde Islands On Wednesday. Maximum sustained winds are figured to be around 45 mph. Tropical Storm Igor is expected to drift slowly to the west across the central Atlantic Ocean over the next several days. The storm will gradually move from an area that favors slow development into a environment that will favor more rapid development. In a couple of days, Tropical storm Igor will move over warmer waters, into an area that has low wind shear. This may allow tropical storm Igor to develop into a strong hurricane.

Factors that will help tropical storm Igor become hurricane.
When tropical storm Igor moves into warmer waters, moisture and heat from the ocean will be able to feed the storm's hungry appetite for energy. Light winds aloft, and little directional shear will allow the circulation around tropical storm Igor to increase unperturbed. These conditions will allow tropical storm Igor to rapidly develop into a hurricane.

Where is tropical Storm Igor going?
According to the National Hurricane Center, tropical storm Igor will spend another five or six days crossing the central Atlantic. This will give tropical storm Igor plenty of time to gather strength. The strengthening of tropical storm Igor will occur in phases, and it may actually weaken below hurricane strength as it approaches Puerto Rico. For now, the National Hurricane Center is saying that tropical storm will be a hurricane by Monday and will be located somewhere just off the east coast of Puerto Rico. Hurricane strength winds are measured at 74 mph and above. The storm may approach the Leeward Islands by around mid week.

The track of tropical storm Igor may shift a little farther north past the weekend, and this will help deter its chances from becoming a powerful hurricane as it moves over slightly cooler waters. If the track stays further south, the chances for tropical storm Igor in becoming a powerful hurricane will be increased.

Will tropical storm Igor hit the US?
It is too early to tell where, when, and if tropical storm Igor is going to hit the United States. The storm is still many days away, and has to travel across the Atlantic Ocean. Tropical storm Igor may be a strong hurricane by the time it gets to the United States, or it may simply blow out to sea and weaken.