MIAMI — Forecasters on Wednesday are closely watching a system near the Caribbean Sea that has a high chance of turning into a tropical depression in the next few days. They’re also watching a recently formed depression in the eastern Atlantic, but that one is far from land and is expected to dissipate in the next few days.
Here’s what to know:
Will a depression form near or over the Caribbean Sea?
The disturbance that could turn into a depression soon is near the southern Windward Islands, which is at the border of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
The National Hurricane Center is giving it a 60% chance of formation in the next 48 hours and an 80% chance of formation through the next five days. However, forecasters say the system’s development chances largely depends on whether it remains over open waters while moving quickly west over the Caribbean Sea in the next few days.
An Air Force reconnaissance mission is on its way to investigate the system Wednesday morning.
“Regardless of development, heavy rainfall with localized flooding, as well as gusty winds to gale force, are expected over portions of the Windward Islands, northern portions of South America,” and Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao over the next couple of days, the hurricane center said in its advisory at 8 a.m. Wednesday.
“Interests in those locations, in addition to those in Central America, should continue to monitor the progress of this system,” the hurricane center said. At the moment, it’s not a threat to Florida.
What about the depression in the eastern Atlantic?
As for Tropical Depression Twelve in the eastern Atlantic, the “ragged-looking” system was about 480 miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands early Wednesday, according to the hurricane center.
The depression, which formed late Tuesday, is moving northwest near 8 mph through the open waters with maximum sustained winds near 35 mph with higher gusts, forecasters said. It’s expected to dissipate in the next several days once it moves into cooler waters and is battered by increasing wind shear.
What’s the next storm name?
Julia is the next name on the list for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season.
