Bonnie becomes a tropical storm
theweathernetwork.com
Friday, June 3, 2016, 6:42 PM - After briefly achieving tropical storm status in the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday and then later losing its strength, Bonnie has picked up tropical depression status Thursday, turning into a tropical storm by Friday.
It is expected to continue moving east for over the next few days.
Are YOU prepared for a hurricane?: An active Atlantic Hurricane season is predicted, so it's important to brush up on safety tips and disaster protocol
"Satellite wind data indicate that the maximum sustained winds have increased to 65 km/h with higher gusts," the National Hurricane Center says in a statement issued Friday evening.
"Some weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Bonnie is forecast to degenerate to a post-tropical low by Saturday."
Alex kicked off the Atlantic season in January
On January 7, Alex originated as an extratropical cyclone near the Bahamas. After weakening slightly, the system eventually turned east and northeast as it acquired tropical characteristics becoming the first named storm of the season. By January 14, Alex strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane and made landfall on Terceira Island as a tropical storm the next day. The hurricane prompted hurricane and tropical storm warnings for the Azores and forced the closure of schools and businesses.
Alex was one of the earliest tropical storms to form in January since 1938.
Active hurricane season predicted
"This year will mark a distinct upswing in activity from the past three seasons as an active tropical storm season is expected in 2016, with the number of hurricanes forecast to return to near or above normal," says Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham.
Read more on the Atlantic season here.
