7:00am STORM2K TROPICAL UPDATE, THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2004

[vbhoutex]

Alex is now a major Hurricane located about 625 miles Southwest of Cape Race, Newfoundland at Lat. 40.0N, lon. 61.5W. He is moving to the Northeast at 29 mph and is expected to accelerate over the next 24 hours. Maximum winds in Hurricane Alex are 120 mph with higher gusts making Alex the first major or Cat3 hurricane of the season. Some weakening is expected over the next 24 hours as Alex moves over cooler waters today. Current central pressure is estimated to be 957mb or 28.26".

What was Tropical Depression 2, now a tropical wave extends from the Mona passage South across the Eastern Caribbean is moving Westward at around 20 mph. Convection associated with this system has become disorganized this morning and upper level winds are no longer favorable for redevelopment of this system and any regeneration will be slow to occur. Reconnaissance is scheduled to investigate the disturbance this afternoon, if necessary.

A weak low pressure area associated with a tropical wave about 980 miles West if the Cape Verde Islands is moving West-Northwestward around 15 mph. There is minimal convections associated with this disturbance and any development will be slow to occur.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic Basin not tropical storm formation is expected through Friday.