Photo: National Hurricane Center
The National Hurricane Center says a weather system out in the Atlantic is on track to become the next tropical storm.
Forecasters say the tropical disturbance between Africa and Brazil shows signs of organization, and has a 90 percent chance of developing into a tropical depression as it moves westward.
Computer forecast models show the weather system could turn into a tropical storm by the time it reaches the Caribbean Sea, probably by early next week.
The next name on the list is Beryl.
The NHC is also watching two more tropical waves for possible development.
Western Caribbean/Southwestern Gulf of Mexico:
A broad area of low pressure over the western Caribbean Sea associated with a tropical wave continues to produce widespread shower and thunderstorm activity. Development of this system is not expected today while it moves west-northwestward at around 15 mph, and an Air Force reconnaissance mission planned for today has been canceled. The disturbance is then expected to move westward over the Yucatan Peninsula and emerge over the Bay of Campeche late Saturday or early Sunday, at which point some development will be possible.
Regardless of development, heavy rainfall associated with the tropical wave will affect portions of Central America and Mexico through the weekend.
- Formation chance through 48 hours...low...30 percent.
- Formation chance through 7 days...low...30 percent.
Eastern Tropical Atlantic:
A tropical wave centered several hundred miles south-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Some slow development of this system is possible next week while it moves generally westward across the central and western tropical Atlantic at 15 to 20 mph.
- Formation chance through 48 hours...low...near 0 percent.
- Formation chance through 7 days...low...20 percent.