ORLANDO, Fla. – While all eyes are on powerful Hurricane Erin as it stirs up dangerous surf along the U.S. East Coast, the National Hurricane Center is highlighting another system emerging far out in the Atlantic, one that could become the next named storm in the coming days.
Next Area to Watch
A large area of disorganized showers and storms has developed around a tropical wave moving off the coast of Africa, and while development is not expected in the next day or two, conditions could become more favorable later this week.
The National Hurricane Center on Monday is giving it a 60% chance of development over the next seven days, as it moves west or west-northwest at about 20 mph.
It could approach the Leeward Islands by Friday.
Computer models vary on the path of the potential system, and it’s too early to tell where exactly the area of interest will track.
If it becomes our next named storm, it will be called Fernand (pronounced fair-NAHN).
This kind of setup is typical for this time of year in the tropics, known as the “Cabo Verde season,” when tropical waves roll off Africa and often develop into long-tracking systems across the Atlantic. These storms have the space, time and warm water needed to strengthen.
While Erin remains the dominant feature in the Atlantic now, the potential development of the tropical wave behind it could become the main topic in the tropics next week and beyond.
If it develops into Fernand, it would be the next step in what is historically the most active stretch of hurricane season from late August through September.