Tropical Storm Beryl forms in Atlantic

MIAMI (WOFL FOX 35) - The season’s second tropical depression has now strengthened into a tropical storm, but it remains far out in the Atlantic and is not expected to impact the U.S. much -- if at all.

As of Thursday afternoon, Tropical Storm Beryl was just west of the Cabo Verde Islands with winds up to 40 mph and heading west. It's not expected to strengthen much more, though.

"The small cyclone is surrounded by abundant dry air, and the system will be moving over marginally
warm waters during the next few days, which could both limit intensification," the earlier NHC forecast explained.

Meteorologists expect the depression will encounter stronger wind shear as it approaches the Lesser Antilles, likely dissipating it entirely.

"There are very unfavorable winds in the area, so even if it does try to form in the next couple of days, it could be sheared apart," said FOX 35 Meteorologist Brooks Tomlin.  

"Even though the cyclone is expected to dissipate east of the Lesser Antilles early next week, the remnant tropical wave will continue moving quickly westward, likely bringing locally heavy rains and
gusty winds to portions of the Leeward Islands on Sunday and Monday," the NHC forecast noted.

Meanwhile, closer to the U.S., a weak trough of low pressure off the East Coast remains disorganized, though it may form into a tropical system before the weekend. A front moving east off the East Coast should slow development and sweep it to the north.