More tropical troubles could be brewing in the Atlantic, potentially threatening the United States next week

Following in Debby’s footsteps, a new area over the tropical Atlantic Ocean is worth watching, as it could have eyes on the U.S. East Coast if it survives and strengthens in the coming days, AccuWeather meteorologists warn.

The area being monitored is one of dozens of tropical low-pressure waves traveling from the Indian Ocean across Africa and then across the Atlantic. Some of these waves even cross Central America and reach the Pacific.

“The tropical storm in question moved away from the coast of Africa midweek and was positioned over the eastern-central tropical Atlantic on Thursday,” AccuWeather meteorologist Alyssa Glenny said. “On Sunday, this system is unlikely to transform into a tropical depression, but as it approaches the Leeward Islands early next week, it could be a different story.”

“There really won’t be much wind shear along the tropical wave’s track until early next week, but dry air will likely be the limiting factor through the weekend,” AccuWeather senior hurricane expert Alex DaSilva said.

Steering breezes will guide the feature on a more northwesterly track than its predecessors thus far this season, especially later in the life cycle.

“There’s a good chance that if this tropical formation survives into the near and just north Caribbean next week, it could become a tropical storm and from there, it could be pulled close enough to the U.S. East Coast to be a direct concern,” DaSilva said.

Next on the list of tropical storms for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is Ernesto.

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Assuming the system survives and organizes, that risk would increase toward the middle of the month or, more specifically, next weekend.

The westward extension of the Bermuda-Azores high pressure area over the central Atlantic is likely to help determine the future path of the tropical formation next week.

The near-term risk will be greatest for the Leeward Islands early next week, and then for Puerto Rico and the Bahamas late next week. These areas should, at a minimum, expect increasing amounts of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms with rough seas in some areas.

If the system becomes a hurricane but remains east of the U.S. Atlantic coast, it will still bring with it a period of rough seas, rising surf and strong rip currents. It could also be a concern for Bermuda if it continues its eastward path.

The feature does not pose a threat to the Gulf Coast at this time., but if it were To remain a wave, it may have a better chance of making a trip further west.

AccuWeather meteorologists insist that this year will see a very intense hurricane season in the Atlanticwith a large number of tropical storms and hurricanes. Some storms are likely will experience rapid intensification due in large part to continued higher-than-historical average water temperatures.

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