Tropical Wave Approaches the Central Caribbean

A tropical wave located east of the Caribbean Sea is currently producing a concentrated area of showers and thunderstorms, creating favorable conditions for the development of a cyclonic system in the coming days.

According to the latest report from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), this potential system—designated AL 98—has an 80 percent chance of formation during the next week. The disturbance is moving westward toward the central Caribbean and is expected to slow down in the coming days.

The report adds that environmental conditions will become increasingly conducive to development, making the formation of a tropical depression or storm likely.

This year’s hurricane season, which began on June 1 and runs through November 30, has shown unprecedented activity compared with previous cycles. So far, seven tropical storms, one subtropical storm, and four hurricanes have formed.

If the system develops into a tropical storm, it would be named Melissa.