Kevin Myatt is The Roanoke Times' weather columnist.

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Bam — just like that, we have not one but two new named tropical storms in the Atlantic.

Tropical Storm Bonnie formed in the southern Gulf of Mexico late Monday. Though it is a tiny thing, its winds have already increased to 60 mph, just 14 mph short of becoming a hurricane. It's dawdling to the northwest now, but is likely to turn north or northeast as it becomes involved with the low pressure trough over the eastern U.S.

Tropical Storm Charley has formed further south in the Carribbean, and it's already looking well organized. Its winds are 45 mph as of Tuesday morning. It is likely to follow on Bonnie's heels into the Gulf of Mexico.

Either or both of these could play a factor in our weather, as the moisture becomes entrained in the low pressure trough. Bonnie could end up dampening the glorious fall-like weekend we're expecting. Charley's still too far away to make any prognostications about.

Despite Dr. William's Gray slight downgrading of his tropical forecast, the National Hurricane Center has reiterated its expectations of 12 to 15 named storms. El Niño or not, the season suddenly looks busy.

For more on Bonnie, Charley and the 2004 Tropical Season, visit the Tropical Prediction Center.