TAMPA, Fla. — The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is tracking a tropical wave in the Atlantic Ocean that has a chance of developing into a tropical cyclone.
Invest 97-L is currently located about midway between the west coast of Africa and the Windward Islands.
This system is producing a large area of showers and thunderstorms that continues to show signs of organization. Environmental conditions appear generally favorable for development, and a tropical depression is likely to form during the next few days while the system moves west-northwestward at about 20 mph.
While there is still plenty of uncertainty with Invest 97-L, the disturbance is likely to develop into a tropical cyclone, possibly a tropical storm. If a tropical storm does develop, it will be named Tropical Storm Elsa.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the NHC gives it a 70-percent chance of development within the next two days and a 90-percent chance over the next five days.
Beyond that, models vary on how much this system develops as it tracks across the Caribbean. Some forecast models strengthen the system and track it toward Hispaniola and Cuba, while other forecast models weaken and dissipate the system altogether.
As far as potential Florida impacts, it's still too early as the track and intensity of the potential tropical cyclone is still uncertain. If it survives its track through the Caribbean, it could potentially get into the Gulf of Mexico early next week.
The team of meteorologists at 10 Tampa Bay will keep you posted online and on television as this system develops in the coming days.
Peak hurricane season runs from August through early October when the ocean waters are typically at their warmest. Hurricane season ends on November 30.
Learn more about preparing for hurricane season at the 10 Tampa Bay Hurricane Headquarters.
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