Tropical Storm Cindy expected to strengthen while Bret shows signs of weakening in Caribbean: NHC

ORLANDO, Fla. - Tropical Storm Cindy formed in the Atlantic Ocean late Thursday, becoming the third named storm of the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season, according to the National Hurricane Center. 

The storm is getting a little stronger as it moves toward the west at nearly 16 mph, the NHC said in an advisory Friday morning. It is expected to keep that general motion for the next few days.

Cindy is forecast to remain east and northeast of the northern Leeward Islands through early next week.

Where is Tropical Storm Cindy?

Tropical Storm Cindy was located about 770 miles east of the Lesser Antilles as of Friday evening. Cindy's maximum sustained winds were near 50 mph. 

Cindy was moving toward the west-northwest near 16 mph and this general motion is expected to continue over the next few days. On the forecast track, the system is expected to remain well east and northeast of the northern Leeward Islands through early next week. At this time, there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect. 

Where is Tropical Storm Bret?

As of Friday evening, Tropical Storm Bret was moving westward over the southeastern Caribbean Sea at 21 mph and was slowly losing strength. 

The storm is producing maximum sustained winds near 50 mph.  On the forecasttrack, the center of Bret will continue to move across the eastern and central Caribbean Sea north of the ABC Islands during the next couple of days.

It is expected to further weaken over the next couple of days and later dissipate over the central Caribbean Sea by Sunday.