Hurricane Nadine Path 2012: Nadine Begins to Weaken Over Central Atlantic, Tropical Storm Lane May Become Hurricane in the Pacific

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has advised that Hurricane Nadine has begun to weaken some as it moves over the Central Atlantic. In the Eastern Pacific, Tropical Storm Kristy has been downgraded to a tropical depression and Tropical Storm Lane is now moving to the northwest and has a chance of developing into a hurricane. Also, in the Gulf of Mexico a low pressure system may develop into a tropical cyclone in the coming days.

Hurricane Nadine is currently located about 850 miles WSW of the Azores and is moving in an easterly direction at 23 miles per hour. A turn toward the east-northeast is expected Sunday night, followed by another turn toward the northeast with a decrease in forward speed on Monday.

While Nadine is still a Category 1 hurricane, wind speeds have decreased to 75 miles per hour with higher gusts being recorded. Hurricane force winds are extending outward up to 45 miles and tropical storm force winds are reaching outward up to 185 miles. The storm is expected to weaken over the next 48 hours and may be downgraded to a tropical storm on Monday.

As of its latest update, the NHC has downgraded Tropical Storm Kristy to a tropical depression. Kristy is currently located about 560 miles WNW of the southern tip of Baja, California and is moving toward the northwest at 7 miles per hour.

Kristy is expected to turn toward the north-northwest and then north with a decrease in forward speed on Sunday night and on into Monday. Maximum sustained winds are now at 35 miles per hour with higher gusts. Gradual weakening is expected over the next 48 hours and Kristy should become a remnant low on Monday morning.

Ocean swells are still being generated by Kristy and will continue to affect southern Baja, California over the next 24 hours. Life-threatening surf and rip tide conditions may result from the swells, so residents in the affected area should be advised.

Tropical Storm Lane is still churning in the Eastern Pacific, approximately 1,175 WSW of the southern tip of Baja, California. The storm is moving toward the northwest at 8 miles per hour and is expected to continue on this path and at this pace over the next 48 hours.

Maximum sustained winds are being recorded at 65 miles per hour with higher gusts and tropical storm force winds are extending out up to 80 miles. Lane is expected to strengthen over the next 24 hours and could become a hurricane by Monday.

In the northwestern Gulf of Mexico, about 90 miles east of Brownsville, Texas a low pressure system has emerged. Some gradual development of this system could occur over the next 48 hours as it moves northeastward at 10-15 miles per hour. The system will be monitored closely, as it may have a chance of becoming a tropical cyclone.

The system, regardless of its development, may produce some locally heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida panhandle on Monday and into Tuesday.