We are looking beyond the deep layer of Saharan Dust present over much of the Caribbean and at two tropical waves, one of which has a high chance of development.

A robust tropical wave located a few hundred miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde islands continues to travel westward. In the short term, this tropical wave is battling dry air and a little dust from Thursday to Saturday. But in the latter part of the weekend, as the system approaches the Caribbean, conditions will become more favorable for this system to develop into a tropical depression or tropical storm. The National Hurricane Center gives it a high chance of developing through the next seven days.

Another area we monitor is a tropical wave moving west-northwest in the western Caribbean. This system will move over the Gulf of Honduras and likely emerge over the southern Gulf of Mexico early this weekend. It is here where conditions will be momentarily more favorable for it to become a tropical depression or storm.

It will remain close to land and likely directly impact the states of Veracruz or Tamaulipas, areas recently affected by Tropical Storm Alberto’s heavy rains. The team of meteorologists at Weather and Radar will continue to monitor the tropics and bring you frequent updates.