Tropical Depression 6

TD 6 has formed just east of the islands of the eastern Caribbean this afternoon. A recon plane went into the system, and in spite of a fairly healthy looking satellite presentation, winds were not very strong and the central pressure was quite high. So, no Felix yet....but TD 6 is here.

Whatever can become of that system will likely not be a factor for the U.S. I expect this system to cruise through the Caribbean Sea and hit central America, probably a little farther south than Dean did. A big ridge will be to the north of the system as it crosses the Caribbean, and that should prevent the system from curving north and toward the U.S. Of course, things could change, but that is how I see it right now.

A nice cool-down is the big story around here. For the Triad, highs will back down into the lower 80s through the weekend, with lower 80s likely for the southern Piedmont by Sunday. That is a welcome relief from the record-breaking heat wave we have endured.

Speaking of the heat, looks like this was the hottest August on record for Charlotte and the Triad. Not only that, it is also the hottest month ever recorded for both locations.