Tropical Storm Cindy trekking across Atlantic, Tropical Storm Bret churns in

MIAMI — Tropical Storm Cindy formed over the Atlantic Ocean Thursday night joining Tropical Storm Bret, which is swirling in the Caribbean.

As of Friday’s 5 a.m. update, Cindy was about 990 miles east of the Lesser Antilles with sustained winds of 45 miles per hour. It was moving to the west-northwest at about 15 mph.

Cindy will continue on its westerly-northwesterly track over the next few days but is not expected, at this point,to pose a threat to Florida.

“It is still going to stay a tropical storm and not a hurricane,” chief meteorologist and hurricane specialist Ivan Cabrera said, adding that upper-level wind shear is expected to keep the storm in check. 

Cindy is expected to remain east of the northern Leeward Islands before taking a turn to the north.

There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect so far for the storm.  

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Bret’s gusty winds and heavy rain continue over portions of the Windward Islands. 

At 5 a.m., Bret was about 115 miles west of St. Vincent and was moving to the west at about 20 mph.

The storm has sustained winds of 60 mph and storm-force winds extend 125 miles from its center.

Cabrera said Bret is expected to dissipate over the central Caribbean Sea by Saturday night or Sunday.