Tropical Wave in Atlantic Has 100% Chance to Become the Next Tropical Depression or Storm, Says National Hurricane Center
A tropical wave in the Atlantic is expected to become the season’s next tropical depression or storm as it approaches the Caribbean, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). Satellite imagery shows that an area of low pressure has formed from the tropical wave, which is currently located about 800 miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. The NHC reports that the low-level circulation has become more defined and there has been increased organization of showers and thunderstorms since Saturday.
Forecasters from the NHC state that environmental conditions are favorable for further development, and a tropical depression or tropical storm is expected to form within the next day or so as the low moves towards the west-northwest at a speed of 15 to 20 mph across the central tropical Atlantic. The system is projected to strengthen and may possibly become a hurricane later this week as it moves over western parts of the tropical Atlantic, near or to the northeast of the northern Leeward Islands.
The NHC has given the system a 90% chance of forming in the next 48 hours and a 100% chance in the next seven days. If it does develop into a named storm, it could potentially be named Tropical Storm Lee, becoming the 12th named system of the 2023 hurricane season. The projected path of the system indicates that it will approach the northern Leeward Islands before the weekend, but there is a possibility of it curving to the north.
In addition to the existing system, the NHC is also monitoring a new tropical wave expected to move off the coast of Africa this week. Environmental conditions are said to be favorable for slow development, and there is a possibility that a tropical depression could form in the far eastern tropical Atlantic towards the latter part of the week or the weekend as the wave moves west-northwest at approximately 15 mph. The NHC has given this system a 10% chance of forming in the next two days and a 60% chance in the next seven days.
After Tropical Storm Lee, the next name on the hurricane list is Margot. Meanwhile, the NHC is also keeping track of Post-Tropical Cyclone Franklin, which is currently several hundred miles north of the Azores. Forecasters predict that this system could acquire some subtropical or tropical characteristics later this week or over the weekend while it moves erratically between the Azores and Portugal. The NHC has given it a 20% chance of reforming in the next seven days.
Lastly, Tropical Storm Gert dissipated in the mid-Atlantic, with the NHC issuing its last advisory at 11 a.m. on Monday. Tropical Depression Katia, on the other hand, is expected to become a remnant low by Monday night.
As hurricane season continues to be active, it is crucial for residents in potential affected areas to stay updated with the latest information and heed any warnings issued by local authorities and the NHC.