Tropical Storms To ‘Crank’ Up Next Week As Snow Threatens Central US

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is tracking four disturbances in the Atlantic basin for next week. 

“The eastern Atlantic is going to become quite active during the next few days,” AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said.

NHC shows Disutbrances 3 and 4 have less than a 40% probability of developing into tropical cyclones over the next 48 hours. However, about 1,000 miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands is Disturbance 1, which has a 90% chance of intensifying into a storm. Behind Disturbance 1, also called Invest 92L, is a tropical wave coming off the coast of western Africa that should be watched. 

“As 92L tracks to the west early this week, it will be within an area of relatively light wind shear and warm water, which should allow it to become better organized and develop into a tropical depression, then a tropical storm,” Kottlowski said.

At the moment, there’s much uncertainty surrounding Invest 92L’s track, though it will cross the Atlantic next week with a west-northwest heading. If the system intensifies, it may pose a risk to the Lesser Antilles late next week. 

“All residents and interests of the Lesser Antilles, especially the Leeward Islands should closely monitor the progression of this evolving tropical system,” Kottlowski said.

Another concern is a tropical wave, called Disturbance 2, emerging off the coast of western Africa on Sunday. NHC forecasts the system has a 50% probability of developing into a cyclone. 

“This tropical wave is projected to become well organized as it moves off the coast and may quickly take on tropical characteristics, potentially by the time it crosses over or near the Cabo Verde Islands early this week,” Kottlowski said.

Along with a surge in tropical activity, the western and central US will undergo significant temperature changes early next week that may result in snow for some areas.