The National Hurricane Center has increased the odds of development for a tropical wave brewing in the Atlantic that could become the next named storm of the 2024 hurricane season.
The tropical wave is located over the tropical Atlantic several hundred miles west-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands. It’s currently producing widespread disorganized showers and thunderstorms, the NHC said in its Friday morning advisory.
As the tropical wave moves westward across the central tropical Atlantic, environmental conditions are expected to become more favorable for development. A tropical depression could form by early next week as the disturbance approaches the Lesser Antilles.
The disturbance could then approach the Greater Antilles by mid-next week.
The NHC has given this tropical wave a 60% chance of development. This disturbance will likely become the next named storm, Ernesto, next week.
We’re tracking a system in the Atlantic that is likely to become Ernesto next week and threaten the Leewards as what could be a hurricane. There is potential for rapid intensification due to hot water. It’s too soon to forecast if it’ll impact Florida, or curve away into the Atlantic.