000 ABNT20 KNHC 241532 TWOAT SPECIAL TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL 1135 AM EDT WED AUG 24 2016 For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico: Special Tropical Weather Outlook issued to update discussion on tropical wave in the Caribbean. The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on Tropical Storm Gaston, located about 1000 miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands. Updated: An Air Force Reconnaissance aircraft currently investigating the broad low pressure area and tropical wave near the northern Leeward Islands has found winds to tropical storm force in a few squalls near the northernmost Leeward Islands. Squalls to tropical storm force can be expected over the extreme northern Leeward Islands and portions of the northern U.S. and British Virgin Islands this afternoon. The reconnaissance aircraft mission is ongoing to determine whether or not a tropical cyclone has formed. Although environmental conditions are currently only marginally conducive for additional development, this system could become a tropical depression or tropical storm at any time during the next few days while it moves west-northwestward at about 15 mph across the northern Leeward Islands, near or over Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and the Bahamas. Strong winds, heavy rains, and possible flash floods and mudslides are expected to occur over portions of the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and the southeastern and central Bahamas. Please consult products issued by your local meteorological offices for further details. Interests in the northwestern Bahamas and Florida should also monitor the progress of this system. * Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...60 percent * Formation chance through 5 days...high...80 percent $$ Forecaster Brown