Invest 94L
Tropical Storm Humberto has developed into a formidable weather system with the potential to impact the southeastern United States significantly. Forecast models predict that the storm could intensify further as it moves across warm ocean waters, raising concerns among residents and officials in the projected path. The storm's current trajectory indicates a possible landfall in the coming days, prompting emergency preparedness measures in coastal communities. Meteorologists are closely monitoring Humberto's progression to provide timely updates and advisories to those potentially affected.
This development follows the earlier concerns about potential impacts from another weather system, initially identified as a possible threat named Imelda. The transformation into Tropical Storm Humberto heightens the urgency for advance preparations in vulnerable areas. Local authorities are urging residents to secure their properties and assemble emergency supplies in anticipation of hazardous conditions. As the situation continues to evolve, affected regions are advised to stay informed and heed evacuation directives if necessary.
November 9, 2026, at 5:00 AM EST
A 997 mb low pressure is centered near 30N49W in the Western Atlantic, producing gale-force winds primarily in its SE quadrant, with seas ranging from 8 to 16 ft. The low is expected to continue moving east-northeastward, exiting the forecast area by Tuesday night, generating high seas to around 20 ft in its path. Mariners should refer to the latest High Seas Forecast from the National Hurricane Center for detailed information.
In the Gulf of America, high pressure is building in the wake of a dissipated stationary front, resulting in moderate to fresh ESE winds west of 90W and light to gentle winds east of 90W. A new cold front is expected to enter the NW Gulf on Thursday, bringing fresh to strong winds and increasing seas as it advances.
The Caribbean Sea is experiencing gentle to moderate trade winds, with a surface trough generating showers offshore of NE Honduras. Winds are forecasted to strengthen over the central Caribbean starting Tuesday, and a cold front might enter the NW Caribbean by Friday.
In the Atlantic Ocean, after the current gale activity, wind and sea conditions are expected to moderate through midweek. A new, stronger cold front is anticipated to arrive by the week's end, introducing fresh to strong winds and higher seas.
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.
