Atlantic Tropical Disturbance Shows Increased Development Potential

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is monitoring a tropical disturbance in the central Atlantic that is expected to evolve into a more organized system over the next few days.

The NHC currently forecasts a 40% chance that this tropical wave will develop within the next week. 

As of Thursday, the disturbance was causing disorganized showers and thunderstorms as it moved west at 10 to 15 mph. Environmental conditions appear to be favorable for gradual development, and the system may form into a tropical depression as it approaches the Lesser Antilles early next week. It is then expected to move west to west-northwest across parts of the eastern Caribbean Sea.

Despite the recent lull in tropical activity, the Atlantic hurricane season is far from over, with about three months remaining. The season typically peaks around September 10. If this disturbance develops into a storm, it will be named Francine, marking the sixth named storm of the season.

While this system may evolve in the coming days, meteorologists say it is not expected to disrupt Labor Day beach plans. Showers and storms over the holiday weekend are not expected to be related to this disturbance.

Fox 13, WMBF News, and Wear News contributed to this report.