Could Cristobal develop in the Atlantic?

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (WINK) — The WINK Weather Authority is keeping a close eye on the Atlantic, as it becomes more active.

There are three disturbances that the WINK Weather Authority is watching. The one most likely to develop is located about 500 miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. It has a 70% chance of becoming a depression or Tropical Storm Cristobal in the next 7-days.  

With this disturbance more than 3,500 miles from Southwest Florida, there is plenty of time to monitor and track this system.

The system is likely to become a tropical depression during the latter half of this week as it tracks generally west to west-northwest across the central Atlantic. Based on the latest data, the Bermuda high will heavily influence its trajectory, and it is expected to turn to the north of the Leeward and Windward Islands early next week.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• 7-day development chance: 70%; 48-hour development chance: 30%
• Likely timeframe for development into a depression or storm: Later this week
• Current location: About 500 miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands or ~3500 miles from Southwest Florida
• Expected track: West to west-northwest across the central tropical Atlantic
• Too early to know what or if there will be any impacts to the U.S.

Two additional disturbances are being monitored in the Atlantic, but neither is expected to become a tropical depression or threaten the U.S.

• East of the Windward Islands: A tropical wave about 850 miles east of the islands has a 10% chance of developing. While some gradual development is possible over the next couple of days, dry air is expected to shut down the system as it approaches the Windward Islands Wednesday night.
• Central Subtropical Atlantic: A disorganized area of showers and thunderstorms northeast of Bermuda also has just a 10% chance of developing. It will race eastward over the next few days before reaching cooler waters that should end its development chances by Thursday.

The WINK Weather Authority will continue to closely monitor this system and any other areas of tropical interest throughout the hurricane season.