Tropical Storm Rina forms in the Central Atlantic, Philippe holds together close by - Sept 28 10 AM

What was Invest 91 has now strengthened into Tropical Storm Rina. It did take longer to develop than expected due to the system being so close to Philippe and enduring Philippe's wind shear. Regardless, it is now a tropical storm and thanks to this continued wind shear, is expected to stay a tropical storm through the weekend and into next week. It is expected to continue on a northwestward track before a ridge of high pressure builds early next week over the central Atlantic. This will turn Rina northward. Tropical Storm Philippe continues to be disorganized today. Because of its interaction with what is now Tropical Storm Rina, Philippe's track was pushed a tad southward. This track shift means that Philippe will not be moving through an area of high wind shear as previously thought. This means Philippe will likely maintain tropical storm status through the weekend before gradually weakening next week. It will continue a gradual westward track until the same ridge of high pressure that is forecast to turn Rina northward, also steers Philippe northward.