Nana now a hurricane heading towards Belize; Two other disturbances bear watching…

The Weather Authority is tracking one hurricane and one tropical depression in the Atlantic Basin: one in the Caribbean Sea and one in the western Atlantic. The good news? Neither is a threat to Southwest Florida!

Tropical Storm Nana strengthened into a hurricane Wednesday night over the western Caribbean. As of 11 p.m. Wednesday, Nana has maximum sustained wind near 75 mph.

This system is moving toward the west at 16 mph, allowing it to eventually make landfall along the Belize coast sometime very early in the morning Thursday.

This hurricane will have no impact on the United States.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the coast of Belize from Belize City southward to the Belize-Guatemala border.

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within the next 24 hours. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the coast of Belize north of Belize city to the Belize-Mexico border.

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within the next 24 hours.

Elsewhere, Tropical Depression Omar is passing well north of Bermuda in the open Atlantic. Omar is barely a tropical depression and will weaken into a remnant low by Thursday morning.

Omar will pose no threat to land.

Otherwise, we continue to monitor two areas of interest in the Atlantic Basin.

The first, dubbed Invest 91-L, is a weak area of low pressure in the central Atlantic producing disorganized showers and storms. There has been little change over the past 24 hours.

Some slow development is possible this week as it moves slowly through the Atlantic Ocean. Right now, the National Hurricane Center is giving it a 30% chance of development over the next 5 days.

Lastly, the stronger tropical wave is still located along the African coast. It is expected to emerge into the Atlantic Ocean late today and eventually merge with an additional disturbance by Thursday.

Gradual development of this system is possible late this week and a tropical depression is likely to form by this weekend as it slowly moves through the Atlantic.

Right now, the National Hurricane Center is giving it a 60% chance of development over the next 5 days.

Regardless of what happens, we have plenty of time to watch as both disturbances are over 3,000 miles away from Southwest Florida. The next storm name on the list is Paulette, followed by Rene.

Trust our team to keep you updated as we approach the climatological peak of hurricane season on September 10th!