NHC has upgaded Tropical Depression Eleven to Tropical Storm Joesphine. It the earliest appearance of the “J’ storm since the satellite era began in 1966. The previous record was held by Tropical Storm Jose on August 22, 2005.
At 11 a.m. AST, the center of Tropical Storm Josephine was located over the Atlantic Ocean about 975 miles (1565 km) east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands. It’s moving toward the west-northwest near 15 mph (24 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue for the next few days followed by a turn toward the northwest late this weekend or early next week.
Recent satellite wind data indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles (130 km) to the north of the center. Some additional strengthening is forecast to take place during the next 48 hours.