Tropical Storm Dolly
Tropical Storm Dolly is currently moving rapidly westward and is located about 1315 miles (2120 km) east of the Leeward Islands. The storm is advancing with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and is moving at a speed of 23 mph (37 km/h). No coastal watches or warnings are currently in effect, but interests in the Leeward Islands are advised to monitor Dolly's progress.
Forecasts predict that Dolly will continue its westward movement, nearing the Leeward Islands this weekend. While little change in strength is expected over the next 48 hours, Dolly is anticipated to weaken to a tropical wave before reaching the islands. Tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 115 miles (185 km) from the storm's center.
Tropical Storm Dolly is expected to bring heavy rain to the Leeward Islands late Saturday into Sunday, with the potential for flash flooding in areas of higher terrain. Rainfall may also affect the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Hispaniola on Sunday and Monday.
Tropical Storm Dolly has formed and is currently being monitored by meteorologists as it makes its way across the Atlantic Ocean. Early projections indicate that the storm is heading in the general direction of the southeastern United States, with particular attention being paid to Florida as a possible area of impact. Residents in Florida are advised to stay informed about Dolly's path and prepare for possible inclement weather, including heavy rains and strong winds. The National Hurricane Center continues to track the storm's development and is updating advisories as new information becomes available.
Current forecasts show Tropical Storm Dolly maintaining a consistent trajectory towards Florida, with meteorologists keeping a close eye on potential changes in its path. While there is still uncertainty about whether Dolly will make landfall, preparations for a possible impact are underway, especially in counties along the eastern coast of the state. Authorities are urging residents to have emergency supplies and plans in place as a precautionary measure. Regardless of whether Dolly strengthens or shifts course, it serves as a timely reminder of the importance of hurricane preparedness during the Atlantic hurricane season.
Invest 96L
Over the past few days, meteorologists have been closely monitoring a weather system identified as Invest 96L in the Atlantic. Initially emerging as a tropical wave, the system showed signs of potential development into a tropical storm. As it passed favorable atmospheric conditions, forecasts suggested increased likelihood of strengthening into Tropical Storm Dolly. However, questions remained about its longevity, with some models predicting a short-lived event.
Despite initial concerns, Invest 96L demonstrated limited organization, struggling against various inhibiting factors such as upper-level winds and dry air. By the time it approached the southeastern United States, forecasters indicated that if it did develop into Tropical Storm Dolly, it would likely weaken quickly. The system's potential impact was mostly expected to be heavy rainfall and localized flooding, particularly along coastal areas. Residents along the projected path were advised to monitor updates and prepare for adverse weather conditions.
August 27, 2026, at 5:00 PM EDT
Tropical Storm Dolly, located near 13.7N 40.7W, is moving west at 21 kt. Maximum sustained winds are 35 kt with gusts to 45 kt. Dolly is expected to maintain its strength over the next 48 hours before degenerating into a tropical wave as it approaches the Leeward Islands this weekend. Heavy rain from Dolly may impact the Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Hispaniola from late Saturday into Monday, posing a risk of flash flooding.
A Gale Warning is in effect in the Caribbean, where easterly trade winds will reach gale force off Colombia, supported by a pressure gradient between a subtropical ridge and the Colombian low, leading to rough seas.
A tropical wave emerging off Africa along 22W is moving westward at 15 kt, with scattered convection around Cabo Verde Islands. In the Caribbean, a wave near 68W is moving west, with enhanced convection over Hispaniola. Another wave along 85W is causing showers over the Gulf of Honduras area.
In the Gulf of America, scattered thunderstorms are noted in the north-central and northeast areas. Weak high pressure persists, contributing to generally moderate winds and slight seas.
In the Atlantic Ocean, a surface trough southeast of Bermuda is causing scattered thunderstorms, while moderate to fresh NE winds are found north of 15N and east of 35W. The subtropical ridge is expected to maintain moderate or weaker winds and slight to moderate seas over the southwest North Atlantic.
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.
