[B][FONT=Arial]Tropical Storm IGOR[/B]weakened somewhat overnight and remains a minimal tropical storm with max winds of about 35Kts. IGOR is over warm ocean water and it is moving towards more favorable conditions so strengthening is likely during Friday and Saturday. IGOR is still expected to become a hurricane by Sunday or Monday and a westward to west-northwestward track is forecast over the next several days. The longer range outlooks suggest that IGOR will eventually turn northward well east of the US East Coast and climatology also suggests that 80-85% of storms near where IGOR is now will recurve and miss the US mainland.[/FONT]
A new disturbance is forming near the Windward Islands and gradual development of this system is likely as it drifts into the Caribbean Sea. Conditions over the Caribbean Sea are favorable for development and shipping interests in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico should monitor this one.