Tropical Storm Dexter has formed in the Atlantic as the tropics become increasingly active. It emerged late Sunday night and is expected to strengthen slightly over the coming days. Fortunately, it poses no threat to South Mississippi or the continental U.S., as it will remain out to sea.
The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two additional areas for potential tropical development. One of these is a tropical wave designated as invest 96L, which has recently moved off the coast of Africa. This system is expected to traverse the open Atlantic, with a possibility of slow development over the next week. However, it’s premature to predict any specific tracks or intensity at this time.
Another area of concern is near the East Coast, where a disturbance has arisen from the remnants of a stalled boundary. This system has a low chance of developing into a tropical depression or storm by the week’s end and may drift northwest, which could impact the Carolinas and Georgia.
Typically, the peak of tropical activity in the Atlantic occurs from mid-August to mid-October. So far this season, three named systems have developed, all of which were tropical storms. The next names on the list are Erin and Fernand.
As always, it’s important for residents in potentially impacted areas to stay informed and prepared during this time of heightened tropical activity.