ORLANDO, Fla. – Tropical Storm Gabrielle may look weak now, but don’t write the system off just yet.
Meanwhile, a pair of waves in the Atlantic are being watched for potential development, though immediate threats remain low.
Tropical Storm Gabrielle
Tropical Storm Gabrielle early Thursday was battling strong wind shear and dry air, which has stripped the system of its structure and left it looking more like a swirl of clouds than a healthy storm.
Despite its ragged appearance, Gabrielle was packing winds around 50 mph.
[VIDEO BELOW: How to track tropics on News 6 Weather App]
The hostile environment around Gabrielle is expected to persist through the weekend, likely keeping the storm weak.
However, conditions could become more favorable early next week, giving Gabrielle a window to reorganize and strengthen into a hurricane.
A turn to the north or northeast is expected by late weekend as it rounds the edge of the Bermuda high, turning Gabrielle toward Bermuda and away from the East Coast.
[VIDEO BELOW: Central Florida forecast]
Elsewhere in the Tropics
East-Central Atlantic (just west of Cabo Verde): A tropical wave is kicking up disorganized showers, but no development is expected as it moves west over the next several days.
Off the African Coast (coming soon): Another tropical wave is expected to move off the coast of Africa by Friday.
Some slow development is possible as it tracks west-northwest across the Atlantic into mid-next week.
- Chance of formation in 48 hours: 0%
- Chance through seven days: 20%
For now, Central Florida remains in the clear when it comes to tropical threats, but September is a historically active time in the Atlantic and systems can change quickly.