Beryl brushes by / Daniel now a hurricane

Tropical Storm Beryl formed as expected today, and is now about to sweep up the East Coast. Beryl is just a minimal tropical storm with 40 mph winds, and won't get that much stronger before becoming extratropical and heading back out into the open ocean. In fact, with only the northwest quadrant forecast to brush the coast, there shouldn't be more than a little rain and gusty wind to affect the U.S. from this storm. The most dangerous aspect of Beryl will be the rip currents she will cause as she parallels the Outer Banks of North Carolina. These currents are extremely hazardous to swimmers and surfers, and if there will be any fatalities from Beryl, they will likely be from unwary people drowning in the surf. Don't go in the water when a tropical cyclone is moving through.

Daniel is now a Category 1 hurricane with 80 mph winds. He is forecast to peak at Category 3, just like Bud. The Category 2 hurricane is almost extinct, I tells ya. Seems like every storm stays at Cat 1, or blows up to Cat 3 or beyond these days.