9/19/2021- 10:18 a.m.
Tropical Storm Peter, the season’s 16th named storm, is expected to gain strength for at least the next couple of days, experts said.
Peter formed early Sunday over the Atlantic Ocean, far east of the Caribbean Sea. Forecasters are also watching Tropical Depression 17, located farther east than Peter, which is likely to form into Tropical Storm Rose. The presence of cooler waters and stronger upper-level winds are forecast in the coming days, according to experts. These factors hinder development.
If Rose forms Sunday, 2021 would become only the third hurricane season since 1966 to have had at least 17 named storms by Sept. 19. The other years are 2020 and 2005, according to Colorado State University hurricane expert Phil Klotzbach.
Peter’s outer bands to its south could produce 1 to 2 inches of rain across parts of the Virgin Islands, as well as Puerto Rico, from late Sunday through Tuesday.
By midweek, upper-level winds will reach the southwestern Atlantic. These winds will decrease chances of Peter’s development.
“Intensification of anything more than a low-end tropical storm is unlikely as the storm moves into the western Atlantic early next week,” AccuWeather senior meteorologist Rob Miller said.
Both systems are forecast to stay well out to sea, according to the hurricane center.
Including Rose, the remaining storm names for the season are Sam, Teresa, Victor and Wanda.
The former Tropical Storm Odette, which formed Friday off the U.S. coast to the southeast of New Jersey, had become a remnant low by Sunday.
Just past the halfway point of the hurricane season, which runs through Nov. 30, there have been 16 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes.
