ORLANDO, Fla. – The tropics are heating up, and two developing systems, Invest AL93 and Invest AL94, are quickly becoming the main focus as both track closer to the Eastern Seaboard.
Invest 93L
This tropical wave, located about 700 miles east of the Leeward Islands, continues to show signs of organization. With warm ocean waters and low wind shear ahead, conditions appear favorable for further development, and a tropical depression is likely to form within the next couple of days.
The National Hurricane Center as of early Wednesday gives it an 90% chance of formation within 48 hours, and a 90% chance over the next seven days.
Forecast models show the system moving west-northwest to northwest, likely staying north of the Leeward Islands as it gradually strengthens.
Invest 94L
Just a few miles west is the second wave, which remains the primary focus for Floridians. As of Wednesday morning, the wave remains over the northeastern Caribbean, bringing heavy rainfall to Puerto Rico Dominican Republic and the Virgin Islands.
Development chances are lower in the short term (30% over 48 hours), but increase significantly later this week, up to 80% over the next seven days.
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Forecasts suggest it could slow down, potentially gaining strength near the Bahamas.
While both systems remain disorganized for now, their close proximity and an unusually complex upper-level steering pattern across the eastern U.S poses obstacles to the forecast.
This evolving pattern may allow one or both systems to curve closer to Florida’s coast, linger offshore, or even merge in some capacity, which adds a high level of uncertainty to the weekend and early-week forecast.
There are no immediate impacts expected in Central Florida, but with an evolving forecast, that could change. Make sure you stay up to date through the weekend.
Hurricane Gabrielle
Meanwhile, Hurricane Gabrielle continues to spin in the central Atlantic and is slowly weakening. Gabrielle is still expected to be at or near hurricane strength as it moves through the Azores, where hurricane warnings are in effect.