Invest 94L
The National Hurricane Center in Miami is closely monitoring two weather systems, Invest 92L and 94L, which are developing in the Atlantic Ocean and have sparked concerns among meteorologists about potential impacts on Florida. Invest 94L is currently showing some organization, but its development chances have gradually decreased. Meanwhile, Invest 92L has weaker prospects for cyclone formation, but both systems remain under observation as they move across the ocean. The spaghetti models, which provide a range of possible storm paths, indicate that Florida should prepare for possible effects from these systems, despite currently being minimal.
The back-to-back tracking of these systems is a reminder of the active nature of the hurricane season, and there's a continued need for citizens to stay informed about their progress. Recent forecasts suggest that neither Invest 92L nor 94L are expected to gain significant strength in the coming days, but meteorological conditions can change. The collaborative efforts of various weather agencies are ensuring that any updates or changes in the track and strength of these systems are communicated efficiently. Additionally, residents in Hawaii are being advised to monitor Tropical Storm Lala, which is drawing near to their region.
August 16, 2026, at 2:15 PM EDT
Tropical Weather Discussion covers North and Central America, Gulf of America, Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean. Currently, three tropical waves are being monitored, with the first located west of the Cape Verde Islands, the second over the central Atlantic, and the third in the central Caribbean. These waves are generating convection and strong winds in their respective areas.
In the Gulf of America, a high-pressure ridge is resulting in scattered showers and moderate winds, while in the Caribbean Sea, a tropical wave is causing strong winds and high seas. The pressure gradient between the wave and the Atlantic ridge is reinforcing these conditions across the central Caribbean and Windward Passage.
In the Atlantic Ocean, the subtropical waters are influenced by the Bermuda-Azores High, leading to moderate winds and seas near a stationary front. A cold front is expected to affect the northern waters with strong winds ahead of it. The large eastern Atlantic ridge continues to bring light breezes across the region.
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.
