Invest 96L could become tropical depression in Atlantic; 2nd wave emerges off Africa

ORLANDO, Fla. - The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is monitoring two systems in the Atlantic, including a tropical disturbance known as Invest 96, and a new tropical wave that has emerged off the coast of Africa.

Invest 96L in the Central Atlantic Ocean

What we know:

A system known as Invest 96L in the central Atlantic is producing minimal shower activity. Development of this system appears unlikely in the next day or two because of surrounding dry air, the NHC said.

Conditions, however, are expected to become more favorable in a few days. 

It may become a tropical depression during the early or middle part of next week as it moves northwestward to northward across the central tropical and subtropical Atlantic.

Regardless of development, it will likely stay out to sea. 

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The chance of formation for Invest 96L has dropped to 0% over the next two days, down from 10%. Its seven-day formation chance has also decreased, from 50% to 40%.

Tropical wave in Eastern Atlantic, near Africa

What we know:

A tropical wave located near the west coast of Africa is producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Some slow development of this system is possible next week while the system moves west into the Central Atlantic at 15 to 20 mph.

Formation chances over the next two days are low, near 0% and formation chances over the next seven days are at 20%. This is a system that we will want to keep a close watch over in the coming week.
 

System off Southeast U.S. coast

What we know:

A low-pressure system off the Southeast U.S. that had been monitored for possible development is now just a large area of disorganized showers.

Invest, depression, tropical storm or hurricane?

Dig deeper:

What's the difference between an invest, depression, tropical storm and hurricane? 

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A tropical wave is first classified as an "invest," or an area that is under "investigation" for potential development into a tropical depression or storm. As a disorganized area of low pressure becomes better organized, it can become a depression. Once it displays a circulation and wind speeds reach 40 mph, the tropical depression can be designated a tropical storm.  When wind speeds reach 75 mph, a tropical storm is upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane. 

CSU update

The Atlantic hurricane season is nearing its climatological peak on Sept. 10, a time when conditions typically become more conducive to tropical activity. Forecasters expect tropical waves emerging from Africa to continue grabbing attention, as this region often spawns powerful storms during late summer. The next named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will be Erin.

Colorado State University (CSU) released the final update to its 2025 Hurricane Season Outlook on Wednesday. There are no changes in this final update compared to their previous two updates from July and June. 

Although it was shifted down slightly compared to the initial forecast put out in April, CSU is still forecasting a slightly above-normal season in the Atlantic basin.

2025 Atlantic hurricane season

Big picture view:

The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. 

While the season lasts for six months, the most intense period is generally from mid-August to October. The peak in hurricane activity is linked to favorable atmospheric and ocean conditions like warm sea surface temperatures and specific wind patterns. Although the peak is in the later months, storms can form before and after the official season dates. 

Forecasters are predicting an above-average hurricane season for 2025, with the potential for more named storms, hurricanes and major hurricanes compared to historical averages.