Tropical Atlantic Waves to Watch

news image
Special Stories
19 Aug 2020 6:00 AM
We are monitoring three tropical disturbances in the Atlantic Basin. Two of them are likely to further develop over the next five days. The first tropical wave passed through the Windward Islands recently and is now moving through the eastern Caribbean Sea. It's moving at around 20 mph and is currently a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. The system, named Invest 97L (for now), is expected to organize further as it continues to move westward. In terms of the forecast models, our spaghetti plots are in good agreement with the storm moving through to the western Caribbean Sea. Longer term, solutions begin to vary, as the models take the storm into the Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) gives this storm a 40% chance to become a tropical system within the next couple of days, but 80% chance by 5 days. The second tropical wave is still over the eastern Atlantic and is forecast to interact with another disturbance. This wave has a high chance (90%) of tropical development in 2 to 5 days and will be the next system to watch. The National Hurricane Center says "Environmental conditions are conducive for further development, and a tropical depression is expected to form during the next day or two while the system moves generally west-northwestward at 15 to 20 mph across the central and western portions of the tropical Atlantic." A large area of showers and thunderstorms is associated with a third tropical wave set to emerge off the coast of Africa. Development is not expected in the near term. The next name to listen for if any of these disturbances get named will be "Laura". Usually in the month of August there are three paths that storms typically follow as seen below. And as our models have forecast they are likely to follow suit as well. For more information on the Atlantic follow us on twitter, @WeatherNation! https://twitter.com/WeatherNation/status/1295782707696414720  
All Weather News
More
Western U.S. Enters a Rainier Pattern

Western U.S. Enters a Rainier Pattern

Ready for some fall-like temperatures? Some r

30 Aug 2026 1:50 AM
Days of Severe Weather For The Plains

Days of Severe Weather For The Plains

It has been an active summer for portions of

30 Aug 2026 1:40 AM
Pacific Tropics Active as El Niño Fuels Two Tropical Storms

Pacific Tropics Active as El Niño Fuels Two Tropical Storms

The Pacific hurricane season is showing no si

30 Aug 2026 1:25 AM
NHC Monitoring Two Areas in the Atlantic

NHC Monitoring Two Areas in the Atlantic

Tropical Storm Dolly formed in the Atlantic o

30 Aug 2026 1:10 AM
Southwest Heatwave Slowing Breaking Down

Southwest Heatwave Slowing Breaking Down

High pressure continues to dominate the South

29 Aug 2026 6:35 PM
El Nino Pushes Sharks into Southern California Beaches

El Nino Pushes Sharks into Southern California Beaches

During El Nino, temperatures across the Easte

29 Aug 2026 10:00 AM
East Coast Storm Threat Lingers Friday

East Coast Storm Threat Lingers Friday

Strong storms and flash flooding hammered the

28 Aug 2026 12:40 PM