Tropical Storm Joyce tracker: See projected path, spaghetti models as storm strengthens

Editor's note: This story was published Friday afternoon. Follow along here for the latest with tropical disturbances.

Helene made landfall in the Florida Big Bend late Thursday night, bringing life-threatening floods and damaging winds to a large portion of the southeastern United States before weakening into a tropical storm early Friday morning.

However, Helene isn't the only storm forecasters are keeping tabs on as the Atlantic Ocean continues to remain active.

Tropical Storm Joyce formed in the central tropical Atlantic Ocean Friday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm was located about 1,325 miles east of the Northern Leeward Islands with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph.

Saturday updates: Helene death toll rises; power outages in the millions

Gradual strengthening is expected through Saturday, NHC forecasters said, followed by gradual weakening through early next week. Tropical storm-force winds currently extend outward up to 70 miles from the center.

Tropical Storm Joyce path tracker

Tropical Storm Joyce spaghetti models

Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts. 

NHC also tracking two other tropical waves in the Atlantic

An area of low pressure could form over the western Caribbean Sea by the middle of next week, the NHC said. Environmental conditions are expected to be "conducive for slow development" thereafter while this system moves northwestward, potentially entering the Gulf of Mexico by the end of next week, the NHC said Friday.

Yet another area of low pressure could form over the eastern tropical Atlantic by the early to middle part of next week, the NHC said, and the system could slowly develop while the system moves northwestward at 10 to 15 mph.

What about Hurricane Isaac?

As of Friday morning, Hurricane Isaac was heading westward over the north central Atlantic Ocean, the NHC said. It was located about 1,080 miles west of the Azores and is moving toward the east-northeast near 18 mph, with maximum sustained winds at near 75 mph.

The NHC said Friday that additional strengthening is expected during the next day or so followed by gradual weakening by the end of this weekend.

Tropical Storm John continues to batter Mexico

In the Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm John continues to bring flash flooding and mudslides over portions of southern and southwestern Mexico, the NHC said Friday.

The center of John was forecast to move along the coast or just inland of southwestern Mexico Friday afternoon and evening, the NHC said in an advisory.

"Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 60 mph with higher gusts," the NHC said Friday, and gradual weakening is expected Friday with a faster rate of weakening forecast by Friday night while the center begins to interact with the higher terrain of southwestern Mexico.

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at [email protected].This story was updated to add a video.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tropical Storm Joyce tracker: Projected path, spaghetti models