Atlantic Tropics Awaken as AccuWeather Monitors High-Risk Zone near Cabo Verde Islands

AccuWeather hurricane experts say the Atlantic tropics are showing signs of life, with five tropical waves moving westward across the basin and a ‘High Risk’ of tropical development in the open Atlantic later this week.

The ‘High Risk’ area west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands will be the primary feature to watch this week, with development possible later this week between August 12th and the 14th. The two tropical waves are forecast to merge as they move westward across the Atlantic.

“The stronger the wave becomes, the more likely it is to move north and away from the Lesser Antilles,” said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva. “If this happens, the storm would likely move north into the open Atlantic and not impact the U.S.”

There is still a considerable amount of time before any potential impacts to the United States would become a concern, and the atmospheric environment ahead of the system could present a major obstacle.

“If the wave stays weaker, there is the chance it could move a little closer to the Southeast coast;, however, it would have to get through a wall of wind shear which would likely substantially disrupt the storm,” DaSilva said. “If this would approach the U.S. it wouldn’t be until mid to late next week, so we have plenty of time to watch it.”

The increase in Atlantic activity comes as El Niño continues to strengthen. El Niño typically increases disruptive wind shear across the Atlantic, which can make it more difficult for tropical systems to develop and strengthen. Even with this limiting influence, individual tropical threats can still emerge as the Atlantic approaches the climatological peak of hurricane season.

What AccuWeather Expert Meteorologists Are Tracking

• High risk: The area west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands has a ‘High Risk’ of tropical development August 12th through the 14th
• Low risk near the Lesser Antilles: Another tropical wave in the central Atlantic has a low risk of development August 11th through the 13th as it tracks westward. Interests in the Lesser Antilles should monitor its progress. Environmental conditions are expected to become less favorable for development once it approaches the Lesser Antilles late this week
• Low risk in the western Atlantic: An area of low pressure north of Bermuda has a low chance of development August 10th through the 12th as it moves east over the open Atlantic. Regardless of development, no direct impacts to the United States or Bermuda are expected

AccuWeather RealImpact™ Scale for Hurricanes
In contrast to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which classifies storms by wind speed only, the AccuWeather RealImpact™ Scale for Hurricanes is based on a broad range of important factors. In order to better communicate a more comprehensive representation of the potential impact of a storm to lives and livelihoods, the scale covers not only wind speed but also flooding rain, storm surge and economic damage and loss.