WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A tropical wave producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms over Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and the southeastern Bahamas now has a higher chance of development over the coming days.
"It's blowing up in shower and thunderstorm activity," WPTV First Alert Weather meteorologist Jennifer Correa said.
Satellite imagery is showing signs of organization as the wave tracks west-northwest. Now that the tropical wave is well-defined, the National Hurricane Center has labeled this wave Invest 97L.
It has a 30% chance to development over the next two days and a 70% chance over the next seven days.
The tropical wave will move into an environment that is more conducive for further development. After the wave passes the Greater Antilles, a tropical depression could form by this weekend or early next week.
"Once it gets into the Florida Straits, and especially if it goes into the Gulf waters," Correa said. "That's what's expected. Either way, it's expected to become at least a tropical depression."
The disturbance will move into the eastern Gulf of Mexico early next week, where it could further develop into a stronger storm. Gulf coast states must keep a close watch throughout next week.
Regardless of development, Florida will get rain squalls arriving Saturday, and those higher rain chances will last through early next week.
"We're still gonna get a lot of moisture. And that's gonna cause for some widespread rain possible late weekend into early next week for us," Correa said.
