Active tropics: All you need to know about Invest 98L

We continue to monitor Major Hurricane Fiona. It finally made that north-northeast turn and it’s moving at 13 mph. But our eyes shift a bit south, as a tropical wave is now over the southern Caribbean. Luckily, it is still very messy.

Fiona finally begins distancing itself from the Caribbean more on Thursday. The system will continue to be a strong category 4 hurricane as it brushes Bermuda on Friday. Its wind field, as seen in our interactive WindRadar, is likely to expand which will bring high seas for the coastal region of the United States and more serious issues for the southeastern Canadian providences.

Lots of noise is going on about this tropical wave. It is still very, very messy. Our WeatherRadar still shows no center of circulation which does not allow for a certain track to be pinpointed. It is important to remember that while a tropical wave is starting to get organized there are several ingredients that can cause its (potential) center to shift. A small shift can mean a world of difference in the long-term track.

For the rest of this week, winds will pick up over northern Venezuela, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, and eventually northern Colombia. This system could also drop some torrential rains over these areas which could lead to some landslides over higher terrains.

What we know for certain is that Invest 98L will be intensifying this weekend as it moves over the very warm waters of the Caribbean. Specifically, the waters over the western Caribbean are at least 88 F which is plenty of fuel for this system to develop, plus wind shear will be low. Also, it´s not just the sea surface temperatures that are warm, the water is warm in throughout deeper levels as there hasn´t been a storm to stir up the seas in this region this season.

Invest 98L’s track is highly uncertain. Residents in the Cayman Islands and Jamaica should begin preparations for a hurricane - slight preps, nothing crazy yet. But know that you will likely have a hurricane nearby late this weekend.

For residents along the Gulf Coast, we just advise you to stay tuned and revise your hurricane plans. Know where you could evacuate if you are prompted to do so or have a plan with family and friends if you leave on the immediate coast or in flood-prone areas.