TAMPA, Fla. — Tropical Depression 17 quickly strengthened Monday into Tropical Storm Paulette as the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season continues to prove it's a busy one.
Tropical Depression 17 formed late Sunday night in the eastern Atlantic as a 35-mph storm and, with maximum sustained winds reaching 45 mph, strengthened to a tropical storm Monday morning.
Tropical Storm Paulette is the earliest "P" storm on record, beating Philippe which formed on Sept. 17, 2005.
According to the National Hurricane Center's latest advisory, Paulette is located about 1,250 miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands. It is moving north-northwest at 6 mph.
Right now, there is no threat to Florida or the U.S.
Tropical Storm Rene, which was designated Tropical Depression 18 Monday morning, is located behind Tropical Storm Paulette.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) updated its 2020 hurricane season forecast earlier this month, indicating one of the most active seasonal forecasts that NOAA has produced in its 22-year history of hurricane outlooks.
The updated forecast calls for 19-25 named storms, 7-11 hurricanes and 3-6 major hurricanes. This includes the 17 storms and five hurricanes we’ve already seen.
Be sure to stay up to date with the latest forecast as we reach peak hurricane season on our 10 Tampa Bay Hurricane Headquarters page or by downloading the free app.
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