Caribbean, U.S. on alert as tropical wave may strengthen next month - UPI.com (2024)

AccuWeather meteorologists are tracking a feature over the Atlantic Ocean that has a chance of evolving into a tropical storm before approaching the United States during early August.

The feature has some hurdles along the way, but conditions may become more favorable for development later on, especially as it approaches the U.S.

During the summer and autumn, a series of low pressure areas, known as tropical waves, moves from the Indian Ocean across Africa then the Atlantic. Of these, a small number go on to evolve into tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes. August marks a time when the number of tropical waves that organize tends to increase substantially.

One particular tropical wave that caught AccuWeather meteorologists' attention last week is a few hundred miles to the east of the easternmost islands of the Caribbean. The wave has a medium chance of developing.

"The tropical wave is currently battling a harsh environment in a sea of dry air as it moves west across the Atlantic," AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said. "The dry air is working to keep the wave from gaining any organization."

Wind shear, which is the effect of stiff, steady breezes in one direction or shifting directions, can inhibit tropical development or, in some cases, cause an established tropical storm to weaken.

"Toward the end of this week, the wave will move into an area with fairly low shear and ample moisture, and that could allow some organization and strengthening," DaSilva added.

This feature will interact with another ripple in the atmosphere early this week, causing the two to consolidate into one low-pressure area.

Exactly how these two interact and where they re-form as a single storm may determine the future path near the Caribbean this week and perhaps the U.S. beyond.

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"A major caveat is where the storm tracks," DaSilva said, "If it tracks north [or south] of the Greater Antilles, then it will have a better chance to develop as it will be removed from the towering mountains of Puerto Rico, Hispaniola and Cuba." Large, high mountains disrupt the wind flow of a tropical feature and can inhibit its wind intensity.

A wave that bounces westward, along the high mountains of the Greater Antilles, would likely struggle to organize. However, if the center stays away from the islands and their mountains, the waters are sufficiently warm to allow organization and strengthening.

Should the storm track north of the big islands in the northern Caribbean later this week, it would more likely be a concern for the East Coast of the U.S. later on. On the other hand, should the storm track just south of the big islands, it may be more concerning for the U.S Gulf Coast later on.

If the storm passes close to or over the islands, a period of heavy rain, gusty thunderstorms and rough seas will progress westward over part of the northern Caribbean. How intense conditions become will depend on the strength and track of the system.

Heavy rain that triggers flash flooding and mudslides could be a concern as well as high winds that might lead to damage and power outages. Building seas would create dangerous coastal conditions for boating and beach interests and possibly storm surge coastal flooding.

Another player will be a large area of high pressure over the central Atlantic, pushing the storm to the west, but only for so long. Later this weekend to next week, steering winds should turn the tropical feature to the northwest or north near the U.S.

Because of these conditions, everyone from the northern Caribbean to the Bahamas and from the U.S. Gulf Coast to the Carolinas will have to watch this tropical feature closely.

By later this weekend to early next week, the storm could be turning northward along the U.S. Atlantic coast or could be churning waters over the Gulf of Mexico, prior to moving onshore.

Assuming the feature has gained strength, even if it does not directly head toward a location along the U.S. Atlantic or Gulf coasts, seas and surf would build well in advance, resulting in a marked increase in the strength and frequency of rip currents, at the very least.

Should the feature roll ashore as a tropical storm or hurricane, impacts could be severe.

AccuWeather has not wavered from its prediction of a super-charged hurricane season for 2024 since this past winter.

Record-setting Category 5 Hurricane Beryl demonstrated the concern AccuWeather's team of experts had about the potential energy available to extremely warm Atlantic waters.

As dry air diminishes and the effects of La Niña unfold late this summer and fall, great numbers of tropical storms and hurricanes are forecast, along with the likelihood of additional systems that rapidly intensify as Beryl did.