SWFL.io - Local NewsThe Weather Authority
•8/27/2026
Tropical Storm Dolly developed over the central Atlantic Thursday morning and is moving quickly westward at 24 mph. While Dolly has strengthened to tropical storm status with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, it is not expected to remain organized for long.
As Dolly continues west, it will encounter an increasingly unfavorable environment for tropical development. Dry air, strong wind shear, and its fast forward speed are all expected to hinder the storm’s ability to further strengthen. By the time Dolly reaches the Caribbean, forecast models indicate the system will likely weaken into a tropical wave as it approaches the Leeward Islands.
Even though Dolly is expected to lose its status as a tropical cyclone before reaching the Leeward Islands, its moisture could still bring periods of heavy rainfall to the region. Rain could begin affecting the Leeward Islands late Saturday into Sunday, followed by the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Hispaniola Sunday into Monday.
Some of this rainfall could be heavy enough to produce flash flooding, particularly across areas of higher terrain.
Why the name Dolly?
The name “Dolly” has gotten a lot of attention this week following the reported death of legendary singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. The National Hurricane Center addressed the coincidence in its forecast discussion, noting that the timing is purely coincidental.
According to the National Hurricane Center, tropical storm and hurricane names for the North Atlantic Basin come from six predetermined, rotating lists established by the World Meteorological Organization’s Region IV Hurricane Committee. The name Dolly replaced Diana after the 1990 hurricane season and was first used in 1996.
No threat to Florida
As of now, Dolly poses no threat to Florida. If moisture and remnants from the system eventually move in our direction, the most likely impact would simply be an increase in rain chances by the end of next week.
Stay with The Weather Authority for updates.