The 12th named tropical storm in 2008, Laura, doesn’t seem to be following in Kyle’s footsteps. Although its wind speed rose from 14 mph to a maximum of 60 mph, it now looks like the tropical storm is moving north-east, away from the continent and from inhabited pieces of land. According to the latest measurements made by forecasters, Laura is losing both strength and speed, both decreases accounted by its transition to cold waters which causes energy loss. Soon, tropical storm Laura will be known just as an extratropical storm.
A tropical depression in the Pacific, newly-developed, is the cause of Laura’s route to the northern part of the Atlantic, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center. Tropical storm Marie might share the fate of Laura, as neither the first is threatening to hit the Gulf. Because of these new developments – both tropical storms are weakening, the Hurricane Center will stop issuing warnings to those areas previously endangered by the tropical storms.
Scottish authorities, on the other hand, have something to worry about: as Laura’s moving east, there’s a possibility it might hit north of Edinburgh. The wind speed at the estimated time of the hit – 03:00, October 5th – will reach a maximum of 51mph, but may reach higher speeds when in proximity to land.