Tropical system off Africa tracks west toward islands with 70% formation chance
Tampa weather | Tuesday morning forecast
FOX 13 Meteorologist Dave Osterberg says Tuesday will be partly cloudy and hot with a few storms. The high temperature will be 91 degrees.
TAMPA, Fla. - Meteorologists are closely monitoring two areas of interest in the Atlantic Ocean as one system near Africa approaches tropical depression status while traveling westward toward the islands.
Atlantic weather tracking
What we know:
Forecasters are actively watching two distinct areas of potential tropical development in the Atlantic Ocean.
A disturbance located east of Bermuda currently carries a 40% chance of developing into a tropical depression.
Even if that system strengthens, current tracks show it moving northward and eventually out to open sea without impacting land.
Meanwhile, a second system off the coast of Africa presents a higher likelihood of tropical development.
Environmental conditions give this second wave a 70% chance of becoming a tropical system as it moves slowly west toward the islands.
Islands forecast challenges
What we don't know:
It remains uncertain whether either system will ultimately reach hurricane strength or directly impact land.
The system coming off the African coast must navigate unfavorable conditions, including Saharan dust and high wind shear, as it gets closer to the islands.
While many computer models currently turn the system to the north before it can reach the islands, forecasters emphasize that the disturbance still has a long way to go, and shifts in track remain possible.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from FOX 13 Meteorologist Dave Osterberg, who detailed computer model tracks and development odds for tropical disturbances in the Atlantic.