Tropical Wave Expected to Pass Through Caribbean This Week

By Jesse Daley
-

A tropical wave is expected to pass through the Caribbean and south of the USVI during the first half of this week, bringing the chance for unsettled weather, particularly on Tuesday night and into Wednesday.  

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring tropical wave “Invest 95L” (shown in yellow) as it moves toward the Caribbean. (Photo courtesy of the National Hurricane Center.)

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has been monitoring the tropical wave designated “Invest 95L” for signs of potential organization. (An “invest” is an area under investigation for tropical development by the National Weather Service.)  

As of 8 p.m. AST on Sunday, July 23, the system has been given a 30% chance of cyclonic development over the next seven days. The NHC mentions that the current environmental conditions are not especially favorable for the system, and the wave has been moving through an area of the Atlantic where Saharan dust and dry air have been prevalent recently. However, some strengthening may be possible over the next few days as the wave travels toward the west. 

“Although environmental conditions are only forecast to be marginally conducive for some gradual development, this system could still become a tropical depression during the next few days while it moves westward across the tropical Atlantic and eastern Caribbean Sea,” according to an update from the NHC on Sunday afternoon.  

“Nonetheless, it is too early to determine what impacts this system could bring to the area, but so far, an increase in showers with isolated thunderstorm activity is possible,” the NHC update continues.  

The NHC also continues to monitor “Tropical Storm Don,” located in the mid-to-north Atlantic. This system does not threaten any land mass at this time. 

Cyclone Preparedness 

As reported recently, the “Tropical Meteorology Project” at Colorado State University now expects an “above-average” Atlantic Hurricane Season. Click here to read a detailed list from the National Weather Service about hurricane preparedness. 

Tips about hurricane preparedness from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (Photo courtesy of NOAA and Weather.gov.)

USVI visitors and residents can find information about tropical weather, including emergency shelters and alerts, from the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency. Additionally, weather updates from the National Hurricane Center will constantly be posted on the Source Weather Page.