Tropical Storm Dolly has formed just one day after the death of country singer, actress, and fashion icon Dolly Parton. The National Hurricane Center, which classified the new system today, made a point to say the naming was purely coincidental and not related to Parton’s death, who died on August 25.
“The timing of the use of the name Dolly for this storm is purely coincidental,” the National Hurricane Center said today. “Tropical storm and hurricane names for the North
Atlantic Basin originate from six pre-determined rotating lists established by the World Meteorological Organization Region IV Hurricane Committee.”
The name Dolly replaced Diana after the 1990 hurricane season and was first used in 1996.
For now, Dolly is located about 1,555 miles east of the Leeward Islands and is moving west at 24 mph. With maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, the storm has a minimum central pressure of 1007 mb or 29.74″.
There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect but the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that interests in the Leeward Islands should monitor the progress of Dolly.
On the forecast track released by the NHC, this system should be nearing the Leeward Islands this weekend. Â Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Dolly is forecast to degenerate into a tropical wave before it reaches the Leeward Islands. But even as a tropical wave, it could bring gusty winds and heavy rains to the islands.
The NHC says that heavy rain from this system could begin to affect the Leeward Islands late Saturday into Sunday, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Hispaniola Sunday and Monday. This heavy rain may produce flash flooding, especially in areas of higher terrain.
