7:00am STORM2K ATLANTIC BASIN TROPICAL UPDATE, AUG. 17, 2004

[vbhoutex]

7:00AM ATLANTIC BASIN TROPICAL UPDATE
TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2004

The remnants of what was Tropical Storm Earl are now located in the Caribbean South of the island of Jamaica. Although convection associated with this system is generating some winds near tropical storm force no organization is present at this time. This area continues to move Westward at a very fast pace of around 28 mph and as long as this continues it is doubtful that the distrubance will have a chance to reorganize into a viable tropical cyclone before it moves into the Central American landmass. Due to the lack of organization the morning Recon mission has been cancelled. Another plane will investigate the disturbance if necessary this afternoon.

Hurricane Danielle continues moving Northwest across the Far Eastern Atlantic and continues to be a threat only to shipping. As she continues to turn and begins a Northeasterly direction in the next few days she could approach the Azores Islands later in the period. At that time she could become a gale center associated with a cold front as she nears the islands.

About 450 miles Southwest of the Cape Verde Islands another tropical wave is attempting to organize. The convection associated with this wave is not organized and is moving West around 18 mph. There is some possibility of development of this system over the next few days, but if it happens it will be slow to occurr.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic Basin no tropical storm development is expected through Wednesday.