The National Hurricane Center says Tropical Storm Fay has formed in the Caribbean

Tropical Storm Fay formed over the Dominican Republic on Friday afternoon, bypassing the customary step of first being deemed a tropical depression.The initial forecast puts the entire southern tip of Florida in its sights, although the projected path - subject to large errors - points it toward the Keys and possibly into the Gulf of Mexico.At 5 p.m., the system was 35 miles east of Santo Domingo-about 850 miles southeast of Miami. It was moving west-northwest at 14 mph with sustained winds of about 40 mph. Its tropical force winds extended 85 miles from its center.It was expected to pass near or over eastern Cuba on Saturday night and Sunday and then turn north toward Florida. The system could produce up to 12 inches of rain along its path, the National Hurricane Center in Miami-Dade County said.Tropical storm warnings and watches were hoisted around the northeast Caribbean.

Fay tracking links:

• 5-day forecast map

• Computer model map

• Satellite loop

• Storm-centered satellite

• Advisory

• Wind map

• Historical maps

By Ken Kaye

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sfl-hurricane-fay,0,4963302.story

As in the days of Noah....