Jerry strengthens to hurricane status, 4 other systems still in the tropics

Orlando to see low rain chances through weekend

Hurricane Jerry 11 a.m. track

ORLANDO, Fla. – The National Hurricane Center is now keeping tabs on five systems in the tropics, but the weather in Florida will benefit from them, at least as of now.

Jerry strengthened Thursday morning becoming a category 1 hurricane as the storm approaches the Lesser Antilles with maximum winds of 75 mph as it moves west-northwest at 16 mph. 

Jerry is forecast to track north of Puerto Rico and stay well away from the Bahamas and the United States.

"Jerry will likely be steered by a large area of high pressure and Hurricane Humberto," News 6 meteorologist Troy Bridges said.

Humberto, a Category 3 hurricane with 125 mph winds, is moving northeast at 23 mph and caused widespread damage in Bermuda.

Bermuda's National Security Minister Wayne Caines said government offices and schools have reopened following an overnight blow from Humberto, and power has been restored for most of the British Atlantic territory.

Humberto had winds of about 120 mph at its nearest approach the Bermuda Wednesday night, and it blew off rooftops, toppled trees and blocked roads. But officials aren't reporting any deaths from the storm.

Caines said Thursday that, "The worst of it is behind us ... We have made it through Hurricane Humberto."

Meanwhile, Tropical Depression Imelda continues to dump lots of rain on top of Texas.

Elsewhere, a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms near the Dominican Republic has a 10% of development over the next five days.

And another tropical wave about 1,000 miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands has a 30% chance over the next five days.

The next two named storms will be called Karen and Lorenzo.

Hurricane season runs through November.

Orlando-area forecast

It's all about the dry air in Central Florida.

Rain chances are limited at 30% Thursday afternoon in Orlando, with a high of 86. It will also be breezy, with winds gusting near 25 mph.

Highs will be in the upper 80s for the end of the week, with rain chances at 10%.

Watch News 6 for more weather coverage.


About the Authors:

Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009. When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com, Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby.

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