Satellites are keeping an eye on Tropical Storm Dorian as it approaches Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.
The storm may strengthen to a hurricane before arriving, according to a forecast published this morning (Aug. 28) by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Hurricane Center (NHC). NHC officials said the storm may strengthen again before continuing toward the Bahamas.
Meteorologists are particularly worried about the risk of flash floods due to rainfall accumulations of around 4 inches (10 centimeters) across the region, with some places seeing up to 10 inches (25 cm).
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To get a better sense of what to expect from Tropical Storm Dorian, scientists are paying close attention to satellite views of the storm.
In particular, NOAA's GOES-East satellite and the joint NASA-NOAA Suomi NPP satellite are gathering helpful data about the storm. On Aug. 26, for example, Suomi NPP images showed that the storm's shape had morphed from a more circular knot of clouds to one resembling a comma.
According to NASA, that change signals that the storm has picked up some relatively dry air, reducing the number of thunderstorms that can form within it.
The NHC is tracking the storm and releasing regular updates; follow the center's website for more details on potential local threats and impacts.
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Email Meghan Bartels at mbartels@space.com or follow her @meghanbartels. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
