The National Hurricane Center is tracking a tropical wave in the central Atlantic that is expected to have moderate strength this week.
The NHC said an “area of disturbed weather” near the Leeward Islands and the Greater Antilles “is expected to interact with an approaching tropical wave” over the next few days, after which “environmental conditions are forecast to improve” for some development. The NHC said there is a 50% chance of this occurring over the next seven days.
A tropical storm could develop near the northern Leeward Islands, Greater Antilles, southwest Atlantic or southeastern Bahamas during the middle to later part of this week, according to the NHC.
Meteorologists say that extremely dry air and a plume of dust made of sand and fine minerals rising from the Sahara Desert in Africa have stunted thunderstorm activity and tropical cyclone formation in the Atlantic over the past month, but as the dry, dusty air dwindles and ocean temperatures continue to rise, activity is expected to pick up in late July and early August.
“We’re going to see a lot more tropical weather in the region, especially as we see La Niña begin to develop,” AccuWeather senior meteorologist Alan Leppert told USA Today on Sunday. “We were expecting at least a temporary lull in the weather until early August, when we’re going to start to see more opportunities and threats for development.”
Hurricane season isn’t over yet:A tropical disturbance occurs in the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Storm Tracking
When is the Atlantic hurricane season?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th.
The peak of hurricane season is on September 10, with the most active period being from mid-August to mid-October, according to the hurricane center.
Contributor: Cheryl McLeod, USA TODAY Network Florida
Gabe Haouari is a national trend news reporter for USA Today. You can follow him on X. Gabe Haouari Or email me at Gdhauari@gannett.com.
