Tropical Atlantic may try to come alive next week

While a robust tropical wave is moving through the Atlantic, the window for tropical development will not open until next week.

Several tropical waves are roaming the Atlantic Ocean, but none are projected to develop into the next tropical depression of the season.
This includes a robust tropical wave that raised concerns for development earlier in the week.

“A surface low that was accompanying this tropical wave has fallen apart, diminishing the chance for tropical development,” stated AccuWeather.com Tropical Weather Expert Dan Kottlowski.

The combination of dry, dusty air, disruptive wind shear and lower-than-normal sea surface temperatures are putting a lid on development in the Atlantic, added Kottlowski. When strong enough, wind shear (a belt of strong winds above the surface) can shred apart tropical systems.

Regardless of development prospects, the tropical wave will still bring a period of increased gusty showers and thunderstorms that threaten to interfere with vacation plans to the Caribbean Islands and Bahamas.

The storminess will reach the Lesser Antilles Friday night then will gradually spread to the Bahamas and Cuba Sunday through Monday.

South Florida may even experience a surge of tropical moisture and increased thunderstorms early next week.

As the tropical wave heads westward, AccuWeather.com meteorologists will be keeping a close eye on the far eastern Atlantic for potential development early next week.
Latest indications point toward an area of low pressure taking shape southwest of the Cape Verde Islands.

“This feature might have the best opportunity for development as it should be in an area of lower wind shear and warm water,” stated Kottlowski.
If development can occur, the low would acquire the name “Cristobal.”

On the heels of this low, a close eye will have to be kept on a strong tropical wave that is then expected to move off the African coast later next week.

Kottlowski also noted that a storm system will be moving off the East Coast of the United States during the first part of next week. However, odds favor the storm remaining over cooler waters and not acquiring tropical characteristics.

From a climatological standpoint, the naming of the Atlantic’s third tropical storm is running behind. Such an occurrence is more typical around Aug. 13.

The 2009 Atlantic hurricane season marks the last time that benchmark was not reached. That year, it took until the early morning hours of Aug. 15 for even the first named storm, Ana, to form.

While development has been slow in the Atlantic, the opposite has been true in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Newly-formed Tropical Storm Karina will continue to churn away from Mexico, posing hazards to shipping interests as it gains strength and becomes a hurricane.

Another area of low pressure located about 1,300 miles east-southeast of the Big Island of Hawaii is expected to brew into the next named tropical system in the Pacific.

Anyone with interests in both the eastern Atlantic and Pacific, including Hawaii, should continue to check back for the latest information on all the tropical features being monitored.