Chances rise for a tropical depression to develop in the Atlantic this week
.png "It’s looking more likely that a tropical depression could form in the Atlantic this week.")
Chances are rising that a tropical depression could form in the Atlantic this week, but long-range models suggest it won’t be a threat to land.
The National Hurricane Center is watching three systems this week, Tropical Storm Dexter and two tropical disturbances.
The disturbance in the east Atlantic, a wave surrounded by disorganized thunderstorms, now has a 60% chance of developing into a tropical depression by the end of the week and a 30% chance of strengthening in the next two days, an increase from Wednesday morning.
The hurricane center said the wave is expected to move west-northwest across the central tropical and subtropical Atlantic. Global weather models have continued to suggest that this system will take a curving path into the open Atlantic ocean, rather than beeline into the Caribbean.
“The eastern Atlantic system has never impressed me as it appears it will struggle but never threaten the USA and eventually turn,” Weather Channel meteorologist Jim Cantore said on X Wednesday morning.
The other disturbance under watch — by the southeast coast of the U.S. — appears to be running out of time to develop into anything more serious. As of Wednesday afternoon, the hurricane center dropped its chances of formation this week to 30%, with no chance of development in the next two days.
Models suggest this disturbance could move north, along the eastern seaboard and away from Florida, if it does develop.
Tropical Storm Dexter, which formed north of Bermuda, is also sailing through the sea with 45 mph sustained winds. Forecasters expect this storm, which poses no threat to land, to start to peter out over the weekend on its path straight east.
This story was originally published August 6, 2025 at 8:46 AM.
