Watching Invest 97-L in the Caribbean, to move into Gulf this week
LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – We are continuing to watch the Northwestern Caribbean and southern Gulf of Mexico for tropical development early this week. Accordingly, the National Hurricane Center has dubbed a disturbance in the Caribbean as Invest 97-L.
97-L will drift around in the Northwest Caribbean through Tuesday where it is increasingly likely to develop into the next named system of the season. Beyond that, it will feel an incoming trough of low-pressure that will be close to our area, causing 97-L to move northward into the Gulf.
There is still some uncertainty with 97-L’s ultimate path and strength. 97-L does not have a well-defined center and until one forms, we may see more shifts in models. With that being said, the trough of low-pressure will be near us later in the week as well as a cold front. If that set-up holds, it would favor a track that keeps 97-L in the Central or eastern Gulf, possibly closer to Florida and the threat to SWLA very low. Until we get a system to form, we’ll continue to keep a close eye on it and how things progress over the next couple days. And it will be a good idea to keep a close eye on the forecast during this time. Elsewhere in the tropics there is only one other area being watched for potential development in the open Atlantic, but that should stay far away from the Gulf.
The bottom-line is that we are still in hurricane season and you should still have a plan in place and know what you would do should a system threaten our area. But for now we will wait and see what happens. And now is a good time to remind you that there are a lot of things posted on social media, but rarely are these correct. You can count on the KPLC First Alert Weather team to keep you informed, and if a threat arises then we will let you know. Otherwise let’s hope a front arrives and we enjoy some cooler weather next week.
Elsewhere in the tropics are a couple other areas of potential development but all should stay in the Atlantic
Copyright 2024 KPLC. All rights reserved.