Never in historic records has a tropical storm formed so far south and east in the north Atlantic this late in the season. Never. And Tomas has the potential to become a major hurricane in the Caribbean, possibly threatening Haiti, Jamaica or Cuba next week.
Tropical Storm Tomas forms Friday afternoon north of South America in the tropical Atlantic. 
8pm EST Update: Tomas strengthening rapidly
AIR FORCE RECONNAISSANCE DATA INDICATE THAT MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS
HAVE INCREASED TO NEAR 60 MPH...95 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. SOME
ADDITIONAL STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS...AND
TOMAS COULD BECOME A HURRICANE BY LATE SATURDAY.TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 105 MILES...165 KM
FROM THE CENTER.THE LATEST MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE ESTIMATED BY RECONNAISSANCE
AIRCRAFT WAS 999 MB...29.50 INCHES.
continued at Daily Kos....
