A tropical depression is expected to form in the Atlantic Ocean by the end of this week, according to U.S. forecasters.
Early detection of these systems allows coastal regions and maritime interests to prepare for potential storm intensification. While the current system is disorganized, its development could signal the start of increased activity during the peak of the hurricane season.
Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are monitoring a low-pressure area in the central Atlantic. The system is located a few hundred miles south of the Cabo Verde Islands [1]. This area is currently producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms.
According to the NHC's seven-day outlook, the system has a 70 percent chance of development [3]. "The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is advising that a tropical depression could form in the Atlantic during the latter half of this week," a NOAA spokesperson said [1].
Meteorologists are tracking the system's movement across the central Atlantic to determine if it will gain enough organization to be classified as a depression. A tropical depression is expected to form later this week, a National Hurricane Center forecaster said [2].
The NHC continues to monitor the system's interaction with atmospheric conditions. If the system develops, it will be assigned a number or name depending on its strength and trajectory. Residents in the Atlantic basin are encouraged to monitor official updates as the system progresses through the latter half of the week.
“The central Atlantic system has a 70 percent chance of development.”
The formation of a tropical depression in the central Atlantic, particularly near the Cabo Verde Islands, often marks the development of 'Cape Verde storms.' These systems have more time to organize over open water and can potentially evolve into major hurricanes before reaching the Caribbean or the U.S. East Coast.
