Tropics suddenly popping

Within the last 10 minutes, the National Hurricane Center has declared two new tropical depressions (one each in the Atlantic and East Pacific), and upgraded what was a tropical depression six hours ago to Tropical Storm Fabio. Actually, Fabio is the one on the left. The bigger blob on the right is the brand new TD 8-E, which should become Tropical Storm Gilma in about 12 hours or so. Both Fabio and 8-E are just heading out to sea harmlessly, and are both going to be hit with a triple blast of colder seas, high wind shear, and dry air that will keep them from becoming hurricanes.

Over in the Atlantic, Tropical Depression 3 isn't too impressive. Conditions are so unconducive to cyclone formation that this is unlikely to become even a tropical storm. As it is, the Leeward Islands will see some wind and rain, and that's about it. The track of the depression will have to be watched as it approaches Haiti. Severe deforestation has left Haiti very vulnerable to rain events, and even tropical depressions have caused thousands of deaths there due to rain-induced landslides and flooding.