Tropical Storm Leslie is slowly getting better organized and currently has winds of 60 mph. The storm is looking more symmetric with convection developing on the west side and fragmented bands on the east side. Even though the Leslie is expected to strengthen it will remain over the central Atlantic, with no direct impacts to land areas.

The slow motion to the southwest at 5 mph will continue for the next few days as it resides on the east side of an area of high pressure. By Thursday, a shortwave trough will cause Leslie to move north northeast back over cooler upwelled waters. As it turns back to the north, conditions become less favorable and it will weaken again.

The storm is moving into an area of lower wind shear, which has allowed it to develop more. Wind shear remains light as it drifts south into slightly warmer water over the next few days. Leslie will likely reach hurricane status in the more favorable environment.

Even though there are no direct land impacts from Leslie, the storm is generating large swells along the east coast, Bermuda, Bahamas, Greater and Lesser Antilles. Ongoing dangerous surf and rip currents will extend into the middle of the week.