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US Forecasters Keep Watch on Possible New Tropical Storm

by Jose Pernalete

   MIAMI --

   While Harvey has left a system of heavy rains stalled over Texas,
   experts at the National Hurricane Center are keeping an eye on another
   possible tropical storm, this time along the U.S. eastern seaboard.

   "It's trying to organize itself into a storm or a depression," said
   Lixion Avila, a meteorologist at the center in Miami, Florida.

   As of late Monday morning, the center offered a 90 percent chance that
   Tropical Storm Irma could form by sometime Wednesday, passing near the
   coastline before going out to sea over the Atlantic.

   Avila said reconnaissance aircraft were monitoring the situation
   Monday.

   Heavy rain and gusty winds are forecast for coastal areas along the
   eastern U.S.

   Though Harvey has lost strength since making landfall as a hurricane
   along Texas' Gulf Coast late Friday, it remains a potent threat.

   The tropical storm has drenched the state with more than 60 centimeters
   of rain in some places, and more could fall through Wednesday.

   "I want to make it clear that a tropical storm can produce as much rain
   as a hurricane," Ăvila said. "Historically, many tropical pressure
   systems have been worse than hurricanes."