A round of especially nasty storms roared across the South yesterday bringing some large hail, high winds and reports of tornadoes in several states. Currently two fatalities are being attributed to the storms; one in Arkansas and one in Alabama. Severe thunderstorms continue today for the Southeast, Appalachians and eastern parts of the Ohio Valley. Tornadoes, hail, heavy rain and high winds are expected. The system will move towards the east coast and New England later this week bringing more heavy winds and possibly more tornadoes.
Meanwhile in the Central Pacific… Tropical Storm Ana has formed and is about 900 miles east southeast of the Big Island. Ana will be moving over warm waters and encountering low wind shear which should encourage strengthening over the next few days, allowing the system to reach hurricane status by the end of the week. Some of the more reliable hurricane tracking models call for Ana to make a close pass by the Island of Hawaii this weekend bringing a threat of high winds and heavy rains.
In the Atlantic, hurricane Gonzalo has reached Category 2 status and should also intensify, perhaps even reaching Category 4 status by tomorrow! Gonzalo will make a pass near Bermuda towards the end of the week and could be anywhere from Category 1 to 3 at that point.
