Tropical development chances are increasing

The National Hurricane Center is increasing the chances for tropical development in the Atlantic, with a tropical depression likely to form by the end of this week.

The WINK Weather Authority is monitoring three areas of tropical interest across the Atlantic Basin. Two of those areas have only a 10% chance of development over the next seven days. Environmental conditions are currently unfavorable, making development unlikely in those areas.

The main area to watch is a low-pressure system moving westward across the central tropical Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center gives this system a 70% chance of tropical development over the next seven days.

Conditions are becoming more favorable for development, and a tropical depression could form by the end of this week. For now, the system is a slow-moving area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms and poses no immediate threat to land.

Long-range forecast models suggest the system could approach the Lesser Antilles in the eastern Caribbean this weekend before turning north. That potential turn would steer the system away from the United States. Cristobal is the next name on the list IF this can eventually strengthen into a tropical storm.

It is common to monitor tropical waves and areas of low pressure across the Atlantic this time of year. There is currently no threat to Florida, and there is plenty of time to watch how this system evolves.

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