Mother Nature Introduces us to Ana and Bill -- Saturday Evening Update

All of a sudden we have two tropical storms in the Atlantic at once, both following similar tracks.

Tropical Storm Ana is in fact what was Tropical Depression Two. If you've been following this blog (read below) you'll know that T.D. Two actually dissipated last week. Apparently she had a little gas left because that same system is now moving westward as the first tropical storm of the 2009 hurricane season. Ana is still battling with wind shear and could weaken. The official forecast track from the NHC keeps the system as a tropical storm moving towards Puerto Rico.

Meanwhile the large tropical wave off the coast of Africa has now become Tropical Storm Bill, the second named storm of the season. This storm is forecast to become a hurricane and could follow a similar track -- literally right behind Ana.

Both of these systems could track into the Caribbean within the next week. They're both too far away to tell right now. We'll continue to watch these systems and you can track them as well at the Hurricane Center, right here at KBTX.com.

T.D. Two is No More

The National Hurricane Center issued its last advisory on Tropical Depression Two Thursday afternoon. Although the system was initially forecast to become a tropical storm, it was essentially surrounded by dry air and barely hung on for as long as it did.

Another tropical cyclone could develop over the next few days off the coast of Africa -- the same region T. D. Two developed in earlier this week.

Follow News 3 Weather on Twitter (@KBTXWeather) for the latest developments.

T.D. Two Barely Hanging On

On Wednesday, it looked like we were going to have our first named storm of the season. As of Thursday morning, I'd be surprised if Tropical Depression Two is even on the maps later today! While the NHC is still forecasting the storm to become Ana over the next few days, it appears to be struggling quite a bit and may be written off later today.

Little Change in T.D. Two

In the 10 a.m. advisory on Wednesday from the National Hurricane Center, little has changed with Tropical Depression Two, outside of its westward movement. Maximum winds increased to 35 mph (from 30 mph on Tuesday), however the system is still below tropical storm strength.

T.D. Two is running into dry air, which is preventing it from strengthening too fast. The official forecast from the NHC still has the system becoming the first tropical storm of the season over the next couple of days.

T.D. Two Edges Westward; No Increase in Winds

As of early Tuesday afternoon, Tropical Depression Two has maintained its 30 mph winds with a slow nudge toward the west. The official advisory has its direction due westward (as opposed to northwestward Tuesday morning).

T.D. Two is forecast to become the first tropical storm of the season over the next 24 hours. If it moves further to the north, it could run into an unfavorable environment and stay weaker than forecast. If it moves further southward, it could run into a more favorable environment and become stronger than forecast.

Get quick updates on the storm from News 3 Weather on Twitter (@KBTXWeather). It's Free!

Tropical Depression Two Develops

The National Hurricane Center announced the development of Tropical Depression Two Tuesday morning. The system is forecast to strengthen over the next day and could become our first tropical storm of the season.

Tropical Wave Could Strengthen - Original Blog

In its 7 a.m. update, the National Hurricane Center gave a tropical wave off the coast of Africa a medium (30-50% chance) chance of development over the next day or two.

While the showers and thunderstorms surrounding this tropical wave have become disorganized over the past few hours, conditions are favorable for development.

The wave could become a tropical depression Monday or Tuesday. If it does develop it will be the second tropical depression of a so-far inactive season. If it becomes a storm, it would be named Ana.

Tropical Depression One developed on May 28 off the eastern U.S. coast and quickly dissipated. It was never even named.

NOAA and Dr. William Grey and Dr. Phil Klotzbach at Colorado State both lowered their forecasts for the 2009 season.

NOAA's modified outlook calls for a "near-to-below normal" season with 7-11 named storms, 3-6 hurricanes and 1-2 major hurricanes (category 3 and higher).

Colorado State's modified forecast calls for 10 named storms, 4 hurricanes, and 2 major hurricanes.

Get the latest tropical weather updates using KBTX Weather on Twitter this season.
You can also track various updates from me at twitter.com/KBTXRodney.