Ernesto could soon form in Atlantic as odds of development for Invest 98L increase

What was once Hurricane Debby has finished its deadly trek across the eastern U.S., and now, forecasters are tracking a tropical disturbance in the Atlantic that is expected to develop into the next named storm – Ernesto.

A tropical disturbance, designated Invest 98L, is located several hundred miles east of the Lesser Antilles and has a high chance of development. Invest is simply a term used by the National Hurricane Center to indicate an area in the tropics that is being closely investigated for possible development.

Northeast braces for severe weather, flooding as deadly Debby travels north

The disturbance is producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms over the tropical Atlantic. According to the NHC, a tropical depression could form by early next week as the system approaches the Lesser Antilles. Once winds reach at least 39 mph, it will take the next name on the Atlantic naming list.

It is too early to say with certainty if future Ernesto will have any impacts on the U.S. mainland. However, people in the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands could see impacts from the storm by as early as Tuesday. Anyone with interests in the Caribbean should also closely monitor forecasts.

Tropical Storm Debby makes second landfall in South Carolina as dangerous flood threat continues

This comes on the heels of long-lived Debby, which brought flooding, tornadoes and high winds to the eastern U.S. this week. It made its first U.S. landfall in Florida on Monday as a Category 1 hurricane. It made a second landfall in South Carolina as a tropical storm Thursday.

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FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross said other disturbances are developing over Africa, and more systems are likely toward the middle of August.

This week, experts at Colorado State University slightly lowered their forecast number of named storms for the remainder of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. Still, the outlook still calls for a busier-than-average season. NOAA also updated its forecast for the season and said it is still expected to be extremely active.

The 2024 hurricane season has spawned four named storms so far, including Hurricane Beryl and Hurricane Debby.

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