Invest 94L
A developing weather system, referred to as Invest 94L, is garnering attention as forecasters assess its potential impact on Florida and surrounding regions. Currently situated in the eastern tropical Atlantic, Invest 94L has shown signs of possible intensification as it continues to move westward. Weather experts are closely monitoring its trajectory and development, especially considering the conducive atmospheric conditions that could facilitate its strengthening. Over the weekend, residents and authorities in Florida are advised to stay informed and prepared for potential updates on the system's progression.
While the system's exact path remains uncertain, the possibility of Invest 94L developing into a tropical storm cannot be ruled out. Factors such as sea surface temperatures and wind patterns will play critical roles in determining its future. Meteorologists highlight the importance of vigilance, as even systems initially deemed low-threat can evolve rapidly under favorable conditions. Precautionary measures and attentiveness to official weather advisories are recommended for communities that might be affected by this weather event.
November 14, 2026, at 12:15 PM EST
A Gale Warning is in effect in the Atlantic, with a cold front stretching from Bermuda to central Cuba, bringing gale-force southwest winds north of 29N and west of 60W, which will diminish by afternoon. Strong winds will persist ahead of the front, which will extend near 31N55W to the Windward Passage by Sunday morning.
In the Gulf of America, a stationary front runs from the Yucatan Channel to the Bay of Campeche, with moderate to locally fresh winds prevailing due to high pressure building southward. Increased wind activity is expected in the northern basin starting tonight, with near gale-force winds likely by Sunday night into early next week.
The Caribbean Sea sees moderate to fresh winds east of 70W, scattered convection near the Windward Passage, and numerous moderate convection supported by the Eastern Pacific Monsoon Trough. Fresh to locally strong trades over the eastern Caribbean will transition to the south-central basin by Sunday and increase in speed starting Monday.
A cold front in the Atlantic, extending from Bermuda to central Cuba, features numerous thunderstorms within 210 nm east of the front. Most areas are seeing strong winds and rough seas, with high pressure dominating other areas. Combined cold fronts will move from 31N55W to the Windward Passage by Sun, weakening early next week, while building high pressure will increase NE to E winds southwest of 27N and west of 65W into next week.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecasted an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season for 2025.
Named Storms: 8 to 14
Hurricanes: 3 to 6
Major Hurricanes (Category 3 or higher): 1 to 3
Accumulate Cyclone Energy (ACE): 95% to 180% of the median
Primary Influencing Factor: Developing El Niño conditions expected to suppress Atlantic storm activity
This forecast indicates:
Despite the lower forecast, NOAA emphasizes that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to create a major disaster, and residents in hurricane-prone areas should still prepare as usual for the season.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30Key: Active Past Future
*Press/click the storm name to view additional detailsDespite fewer total storms than forecasted, the 2025 season produced several extremely intense hurricanes, including three Category 5 systems, making it one of the more powerful Atlantic seasons in recent history.
2020 - 30 named storms, 14 hurricanes
Hurricane Katrina (2005) - $125 billion
Harvey (2017) - $125 billion
Hurricane Patricia (2015) - 215 mph (345 km/h)
Hurricane Allen (1980) - 190 mph (305 km/h)
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating system that classifies hurricanes based on their sustained wind speeds and the potential damage they can cause. It helps communicate the intensity of hurricanes and the likely impacts on structures and environments. The scale does not account for factors like storm surge or rainfall, focusing only on wind speeds.
Watching the Tropics was originally built as a personal storm tracker with only the most important charts for the Atlantic hurricane basin. Numerous sites are available for tracking hurricanes, but Watching the Tropics minimizes extra "noise" and shows only what you need.
Designed in Florida by
"Watching the tropics" refers to monitoring tropical weather systems, such as tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes, in regions close to the equator. Meteorologists and weather enthusiasts often use this phrase during hurricane season to indicate that they're keeping an eye on developing weather systems that could potentially strengthen and impact areas like the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic Ocean.
Websites, news outlets, or weather services also use "Tropics Watch" to keep the public informed about the latest developments in the tropics, especially during peak hurricane season.
An "invest" refers to an area of disturbed weather that meteorologists are investigating for potential tropical development. The term "invest" is short for "investigation area."
When an area is designated as an invest, it is given a number (between 90 and 99) followed by the letter "L" for systems in the North Atlantic or "E" for systems in the Eastern Pacific. For example, "Invest 91L" would refer to the 91st area of interest in the Atlantic basin for that season.
The designation of an invest allows meteorologists to focus their resources on a specific area, utilize specialized forecasting models, and issue updates as needed.
A tropical depression is a type of tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of less than 39 mph (34 knots or 63 km/h).
Key characteristics:
It's the first stage of development in the tropical cyclone classification used by the National Hurricane Center, followed by tropical storm and then hurricane.
