Bermuda could be set for thunderstorms — and finally some tank rain — as the remnants of a former tropical storm approach the island.

Tropical storm Josephine, the tenth named storm of a busy Atlantic hurricane season, was downgraded to a tropical depression after being battered by wind shear yesterday.

It was no longer deemed a threat to Bermuda, but its remnants are likely to impact weather conditions on Thursday and Friday.

Forecaster Kimberley Zuill said in the Bermuda Weather Service forecast discussion last night: “Whatever the structure that remains, the silver lining of the

cloudy periods associated with all this increased humidity and moisture is that all the boxes will be checked for islandwide rainfall.

“The steady wind, the remnants of a moisture dense TS, upper level trough supporting development, convergence lines! Oh my! Maybe some prayers will be answered and finally we will see some much needed tank rain and cure for our crispy grass.

“Thus, the forecast calls for more cloud and occasional showers becoming widespread at times.”

Ms Zuill added: “Instability indices have been consistently pointing towards increased thunderstorm development, thus the forecast calls attention to this

and should the scenario remain the same in subsequent model runs a thunderstorm advisory will be needed.”

Bermuda has recorded 28.82 inches of rain so far this year, more than five inches below the average 34.25 inches. About two inches of rain fell last Tuesday and Thursday, interrupting a dry spell in July and August that severely impacted Bermuda’s summer crop harvest.

The remnants of Josephine were nearly 800 miles south of Bermuda last night, with maximum wind speeds of about 34mph. The maximum winds were not forecast to get above 34mph.