MIAMI — The tropics continue to be very active in the Atlantic, and the next named storm could form this week.
The National Hurricane Center said Monday that Invest 95L, centered about 800 miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, continues to show signs of organization. The system is expected to become a tropical depression or storm the next day or so and possibly a named storm by the end of the week.
TRACKING THE TROPICS: Hurricane Center | Hurricane Guide
Labor Day is busy across the Atlantic with 2 weak or dissipated tropical cyclones, and 3 candidates for development. We are closely monitoring Invest #AL95 over the central Atlantic, which is expected to become a TD or TS in a day or two, and strengthen more later this week. pic.twitter.com/erl4wicPPd
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 4, 2023
"The low-level circulation has become better defined since yesterday, with increasing organization in the shower and thunderstorm activity," the National Hurricane Center said Monday afternoon.
Environmental conditions are forecast to be conducive to further development, and this system is expected to become a tropical depression or a tropical storm in a day or two. Additional strengthening is likely late this week while the system moves westward to west-northwestward at 15 to 20 mph over the central and western portions of the tropical Atlantic.
As of Monday at 8 p.m., the system has a 100% chance of tropical cyclone formation over the next seven days and 90% over two days.
The system will be just north of the Leeward Islands late this week.
"This is historically a problematic location for us, but long-range models keep it east of us," WPTV First Alert chief meteorologist Steve Weagle said. "Sept. 10 is the unofficial peak of hurricane season, but the majority of Florida hurricanes landfalls (60-70%) happen after this date."
Weagle said the long-range models also keep it east of the Bahamas.
In addition, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring a second system, which is located over western Africa. The wave could also become a tropical depression over the far eastern Atlantic in the latter part of the week as it moves to the west-northwest at about 15 mph.
The system has a 60% chance of tropical cyclone formation over the next seven days.
Right now, it is too early to speculate if these tropical waves will have any effect on Florida. Stay with the WPTV First Alert Weather Team for updates this week on these systems.
Also, Post-Tropical Cyclone Franklin is located several hundred miles north of the Azores and is forecast to move quickly southeastward toward warmer waters east of the Azores. Formation chance over seven days: 20%.
Katia and Gert dissipated Monday.
