Tropical Storm Colin heads toward Florida

This National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite image shows the third named storm of the 2010 hurricane season, Tropical Storm Colin, seen in this visible imagery taken from the GOES-East satellite on August 3, 2010 at 1315z as the sun passed directly over the storm, creating a glare off of the ocean surface, about 945 miles east of the Lesser Antilles, moving west/northwest. Tropical Storm Colin's projected path remained well clear of the Gulf of Mexico where BP engineers were hoping to permanently plug the biggest oil spill in history. AFP PHOTO/NOAA/HANDOUT/RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE  / AFP PHOTO / NOAA / HO
This National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite image shows the third named storm of the 2010 hurricane season, Tropical Storm Colin, seen in this visible imagery taken from the GOES-East satellite on August 3, 2010 at 1315z as the sun passed directly over the storm, creating a glare off of the ocean surface, about 945 miles east of the Lesser Antilles, moving west/northwest. Tropical Storm Colin’s projected path remained well clear of the Gulf of Mexico where BP engineers were hoping to permanently plug the biggest oil spill in history. AFP PHOTO

MIAMI, United States (AFP) — Tropical Storm Colin formed Sunday in the Gulf of Mexico, churning toward Florida’s west coast, where it is expected to cross before heading into the Atlantic, officials said.

Packing sustained winds of 40 miles (65 kilometers) per hour, the storm was about 460 miles southwest of Tampa, Florida, moving northward at nine miles per hour, the National Hurricane Center said..

“Some strengthening is forecast before Colin reaches the coast of Florida,” the Miami-based NHC said in an update posted around 0001 GMT Monday. The storm is expected to dump three to five inches (7.6-12.7 centimeters) of rain along its path.

US government scientists have said more storms are expected during the coming Atlantic hurricane season that began June 1 and runs through November 30.

The Atlantic could see 10 to 16 tropical storms, of which four to eight could become hurricanes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center.

The 2015 season was considered below average, with 11 tropical storms in the Atlantic, of which four became hurricanes, and two became major hurricanes.

The long-term average, taken over the years 1981-2010, is 12 named storms, six hurricanes and four major hurricanes.

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