The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is currently tracking three systems in the Atlantic, including Invest 96L, a newly designated tropical disturbance in the central Atlantic Ocean. While the system remains far from Florida, forecasters say it’s entering more favorable conditions that could allow for gradual development over the next week.
The NHC is also monitoring Tropical Storm Dexter and a separate disturbance off the Southeast U.S. coast. However, both of those systems are moving away from Florida and are not expected to pose a threat to the state.
Invest 96L in the Central Atlantic
Invest 96L is expected to drift northward through Thursday while encountering an area of dry, dusty air. Most models predict the system will stay weak and continue moving into the open central Atlantic. Still, shower and thunderstorm activity around the system has become more organized.
The NHC currently gives Invest 96L a 20% chance of developing into a tropical depression or tropical storm within the next two days, and a 60% chance within the next seven days.
Disturbance Off the Southeast Coast
Forecasters are also keeping an eye on a weak low-pressure system a few hundred miles off the Southeast U.S. coast. Though the system has lost some of its earlier potential, it may still see slow tropical or subtropical development over the weekend or early next week as it moves north to northeast — staying well offshore.
As of now, it has a 0% chance of development in the next two days and 30% over the next week — a decline from earlier this week. Dry air and a poorly organized center are currently limiting further development.
Tropical Storm Dexter Nears Extratropical Status
Tropical Storm Dexter continues to churn in the Atlantic but is transitioning into a post-tropical system. The NHC expects Dexter to complete its shift to an extratropical cyclone within hours as it merges with a trough from the northwest.
Dexter is forecast to strengthen briefly as a hurricane-force extratropical low before weakening again in about 24 hours. As of the latest update, Dexter has sustained winds of 50 mph and a central pressure of 998 mb.
Understanding the Classifications: Invest to Hurricane
- Invest: An area being monitored for possible development.
- Tropical Depression: A system with organized circulation and winds under 39 mph.
- Tropical Storm: Wind speeds of 40 to 73 mph.
- Hurricane: A tropical system with sustained winds of at least 74 mph.
CSU Hurricane Season Outlook
Colorado State University released its final update to the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season forecast on Wednesday. The update maintains previous projections from June and July, predicting a slightly above-normal season.
The 2025 season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, with activity typically peaking around September 10. This is when conditions such as warm ocean waters and favorable wind patterns make development more likely — especially for waves emerging off the African coast.
The next named storm of the season will be Erin.
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