The National Hurricane Center is monitoring three areas for potential development across the Atlantic basin, including a tropical wave expected to move off the west coast of Africa, which could strengthen as it travels across the Atlantic Ocean. The NHC has also flagged two areas near the U.S. East Coast.
Tropical Wave Expected to Move Across Atlantic
“A tropical wave is forecast to move off the west coast of Africa by late Monday,” according to an update on Sunday afternoon from the NHC. “Thereafter, some gradual development of the wave is possible, and a tropical depression could form late this week while it moves generally west-northwestward across the central tropical Atlantic,” the NHC explained.
As of Sunday afternoon, the potential tropical wave has a moderate chance of development. In a phone call on Sunday, Tyler Roys, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather, told the Source that the tropical wave expected to move across the central Atlantic will likely pass to the northeast of the Lesser Antilles.
Still, in an update on Sunday, meteorologists at the National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico, noted that computer forecast models are not in total agreement on the track of the tropical wave and its possible impacts on the local islands. While there is no immediate hurricane threat to the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico, residents and visitors are urged to remain prepared and monitor official updates closely.
Two Areas Under Watch Near U.S. East Coast
The NHC is also watching two areas located off the east coast of the U.S. for possible cyclonic development.
One disturbance, currently designated “Invest 95L,” is situated off the coast of North Carolina and has a high chance of strengthening into a tropical storm soon. An “invest” is an area under investigation by the National Hurricane Center for possible development. If this system intensifies into a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of at least 39 mph, it would be named Dexter, the fourth named cyclone of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season.
A second area off the U.S. East Coast, located southeast of the Carolinas, is also being monitored, and it has a low chance of intensification by the middle of this week.
As predicted in a recent Global Tropics Hazards Outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center, conditions across the Atlantic basin are expected to become more favorable for cyclone formation. Environmental factors, including a reduction in wind shear, may improve the chances for storms to organize and strengthen throughout August.
Local Weather Information and Staying Informed
Finally, the NWS in San Juan reminded individuals on Sunday about weather-related threats that will continue to affect the USVI and Puerto Rico over the coming days, including the chance of rainfall and thunderstorms, very warm temperatures with the potential for heat alerts, gusty winds generating wind-driven choppy seas, and an elevated risk of rip currents.
Additionally, a plume of Saharan dust is forecast to arrive on Monday, deteriorating air quality and causing hazy conditions.
It is crucial to remember that the forecast can change very quickly. USVI residents and visitors are encouraged to continue to remain prepared. Weather information is available from the NWS, the NHC, and NOAA.
Additionally, the local weather forecast for the U.S. Virgin Islands is regularly updated on the Source Weather Page and VI Source YouTube Channel. A weekly Tropical Outlook article from the Source is also published throughout hurricane season to provide in-depth updates.
Residents and visitors can find additional weather alerts and preparedness information from the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency.
