Isaac strengthens into a hurricane, while Tropical Storm Joyce forms in the Atlantic

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Isaac strengthened into a hurricane early Friday morning over the central subtropical Atlantic. And now it has company in the Atlantic, where Tropical Storm Joyce is forming hundreds of miles away.

The NHC reports that Hurricane Isaac is now a Category 2 storm with peak winds of 105 miles per hour and is spinning in the open waters of the Atlantic less than 800 miles west of the Azores.

Isaac is forecast to move toward Europe but is expected to weaken significantly and turn northward before reaching areas in the northeast Atlantic.

Moisture from Isaac's remains will affect western Europe next week. However, no significant impact is expected.

Atmospheric conditions are expected to remain too hostile for significant energy to reach countries such as Spain and Portugal.

The biggest impact could be swell, which is expected to reach the Azores by this weekend.

On the islands, which lie more than 900 miles off the coast of Portugal, the remains will first be seen off mainland Europe.

Tropical Storm Joyce is forming in the Central Atlantic

As Issac turns east, newly formed Tropical Storm Joyce is moving through the central tropical Atlantic and moving northwest for now.

Gradual strengthening is expected through Saturday before the storm begins to weaken early next week.

Similar to Isaac, there is no direct threat to the country.

Area to watch in the Caribbean Sea

According to the NHC, a low pressure area could form over the western Caribbean by the middle of next week.

“Environmental conditions thereafter are expected to favor further development as the system moves generally northwestward, and a tropical depression could form by the middle of next week as the system enters the Gulf of Mexico,” the NHC said.

The NHC currently sees a medium chance of development in the next seven days.

Another area to keep an eye on beyond Joyce

Just east of Joyce, another depression could find favorable conditions for gradual development, and a tropical depression could form next week.

The NHC currently indicates medium chances of development within the next week.