Invest 94L
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Florida is currently monitoring several systems in the Atlantic Ocean. One of these disturbances, located southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, has a low chance of developing into a tropical depression over the next 48 hours. However, there is a more significant potential for its development over the next week as it moves slowly across the ocean. Meanwhile, other systems are displaying minimal chances of development, but are still being observed closely as they navigate through conducive environmental conditions.
Weather experts are paying special attention to these weather patterns, emphasizing the importance of vigilance as the Atlantic hurricane season progresses. While the immediate threat to land remains low, continuous monitoring is crucial as atmospheric conditions can change rapidly. Residents in potentially affected areas are advised to stay informed about any updates from the NHC, allowing for timely preparations should there be any changes in the systems' intensities or projected paths. The ongoing tracking efforts reflect the center's commitment to public safety and proactive disaster management.
November 12, 2026, at 3:15 PM EST
A strong cold front in the North-Central Atlantic is expected to move off the southeastern U.S. coast, impacting the region with fresh to gale-force winds. This front will extend from near 31N66W to the southeastern Bahamas by Saturday morning, continuing to eastern Cuba by Sunday morning. High seas are anticipated, especially north of 29N. A special Gale Warning has been issued. See the latest NWS High Seas Forecast for more details.
The Gulf of America is experiencing a cold front that stretches from Florida’s western panhandle to Texas. Moderate to fresh northerly winds are present as the front advances. The basin will see these conditions persist, with high pressure building over the weekend. A second strong cold front is expected early next week, potentially leading to near gale-force winds.
In the Caribbean Sea, fresh to strong trades are being driven by a pressure gradient between the Bermuda High and low pressure near Colombia. This pattern will weaken as a cold front approaches, with moderate to fresh northeast winds forecast behind the front through the weekend.
As for the Atlantic Ocean, a series of cold fronts are moving in, with the strongest impacting areas north of 20N. This front will reach the southeast Bahamas by Saturday, leading to fresh to strong winds. Northeast winds are expected to increase early next week due to a strengthening Bermuda High.
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.
