MIAMI — An area of unsettled weather off the coast of Africa now has a 70% chance of developing into a tropical depression over the next few days, the National Hurricane Center said Friday.
According to the 8 p.m. advisory from the NHC, the tropical wave, located between the west coast of Africa and the Cabo Verde Islands, could strengthen into a depression during the early or middle parts of next week.
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Forecasters said the wave is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms, and it could develop as it moves west at 15 to 20 mph across the eastern and central Atlantic Ocean.
8pm EDT June 16 2023: We are still monitoring a tropical wave south of the Cabo Verde Islands. A tropical depression is now likely to form by the early to middle portion of next week as it moves westward across the tropical Atlantic.
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) June 16, 2023
2-day genesis probability: low (🟡30%)
7-day… pic.twitter.com/YL80poIiXE
"Going into Monday, we'll have the hazy skies. 40% chance for thunderstorms late in the afternoon. That chance increases as we head into Wednesday, first day of summer. Also by then, we'll probably be tracking a tropical depression as that tropical wave off the coast of Africa could develop," WPTV First Alert Weather meteorologist Jennifer Correa said.
According to the NHC, the wave has a 30% chance of development over the next two days and a 70% chance over the next seven days.
WPTV First Alert Weather meteorologist John Gerard said long-range models curve the system well away from the U.S.
Last month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its annual hurricane season forecast, which is considered one of the top indicators of the Atlantic hurricane season, and predicted "near-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic this year."
The outlook calls for 12 to 17 named storms, five to nine hurricanes, and one to four major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or greater.
