Oct. 13, 2003 – As residents began to let down their hurricane-season guard, Tropical Depression 19 formed out in the Atlantic on Monday.
"The models are showing it's going to be over us," Ernesto Morales, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Juan, said. He estimated the storm will arrive in the area on Oct. 20 or 21.
Some strengthening is expected, and Tropical Depression 19 could become Tropical Storm Nicholas by Tuesday.
As of 5 p.m., its position was 9.6 degrees north latitude and 38.7 degrees west longitude, or about 2,000 miles east of the Leeward Islands. The sustained wind speed was 30 mph with gusts to 35 mph. The system was moving westward at 8 mph. The barometric pressure stood at 1008 millibars or 29.76 inches.
Morales said that a trough coming off the U.S. East Coast in two days could influence the storm's development and track.
Residents are advised to keep a watchful eye on the weather. Hurricane season runs until Nov. 30, although the peak period is in mid-September.
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