National Hurricane Center upgrades Invest 97L to high chances of development
The next name on the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season list would be Erin.
MACON, Ga. — Activity in the tropics continues as we head further into August. Two areas of potential development are being monitored by the National Hurricane Center, with one tropical wave in the eastern tropical Atlantic showing promising signs of potential tropical development within the coming week.
Invest 96L:
The National Hurricane Center has been watching a tropical wave that pushed off the western coast of Africa make its way across the central Atlantic.
After designating the area an “invest,” meaning the NHC deemed the system likely to become a tropical depression or storm within the next 7 days, the wave has showed decreasing signs of potential development.
Due to dry air in the region, chances of development over the next two days are unlikely at 10%. The system could still gradually develop after moving further north into the Atlantic, however chances continue to sit extremely low for development over the next 7 days, now at only 20%.
Invest 97L:
However, as Invest 96L loses chances of development, another area to watch has gained the attention of the NHC.
Another tropical wave pushing off the west coast of Africa is now producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms in the eastern tropical Atlantic. Over the last several days, this area of showers and storms has increased in size.
Environmental conditions look extremely likely to support development of this system as it moves into the Main Development Region in the central Atlantic. Here, it will encounter warm sea surface temperatures, low wind shear, and plenty of moisture.
Chances of development over the next 7 days continue to increase, currently at 80%. This will be a region to monitor in the upcoming week, with high chances of development. The NHC notes that a tropical depression is likely to form by the middle to latter portion of the upcoming week as it moves into the Main Development Region.
If either of these systems were to come to fruition, the 5th name on the 2025 hurricane season list to grab would be Erin.
As we settle into the month of August, an increase in tropical activity is common, with around 11-13 named storms occurring between the months of August and October, on average.
We have still yet to see the first hurricane of the 2025 season, which on average occurs on August 11th.
Make sure to stay up to date with the 13WMAZ Weather Team for the latest on the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season. For more information, visit 13WMAZ+ on your TV and start watching for free.