Warmer Atlantic basin to strengthen hurricanes

I've posted a new assignment based on this news story:

ST. PETERSBURG - A tropical depression picking up steam off the
coast of Honduras could become the first major storm of the 2005
hurricane season to impact Florida.

The tropical depression is not expected to make landfall in
Florida, except perhaps the western edge of the panhandle. The forecasted track on Wednesday evening had it striking the Mississippi
area on the weekend.

The storm, which packed 30 to 35 mph sustained winds late
Wednesday, could create stormy seas along Florida's west coast starting
late today or Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center in
Miami.

"Florida will be on the rainy side of the storm," said Stacy
Stewart, a specialist with the Hurricane Center. "As it strengthens, it
will generate more and more thunderstorm activity."

The storm is moving slowly north as it organizes and gains power.
It is expected to move into the Gulf of Mexico late today or Friday.
The storm has the potential to grow into a tropical storm by the end of
today and an outside shot at becoming a minimal category one hurricane
later in the week, Stewart said.

"It's not going to become a major hurricane," Stewart said. "But a category one is not out of the question in June."

More rain will help further green up local lawns, but it will come
as unwelcome news to residents in some other parts of the state. The
excess rain dropped during last year's busy hurricane season has yet to
dissipate in many low lying areas of west central Florida.

"The ground remains saturated," Stewart said. "It doesn't have anywhere to go."

Stewart said the storm might create dangerous rip currents along
the coast. He warned boaters to make regular checks on the weather. He
also cautioned boaters and beachgoers against becoming complacent.

"It's the type of storm that people take lightly and then they get caught off guard," he said.

[Last modified June 8, 2005, 19:39:02]