ORLANDO, Fl. – It’s been a busy week in the Atlantic tropics. Hurricane Beryl charged through the Caribbean Sea after striking the Windward Islands as a Category 4 storm, while another tropical disturbance is being watched closely a few hundred miles behind it for potential development.
Designated as Invest 96L by the National Hurricane Center, this system is under scrutiny for potential development in the coming days.
Earlier in the week, conditions appeared favorable for its tropical development, but the system appears to have missed its window. Now, the presence of Saharan dusty, dry air and stronger wind shear has significantly reduced the likelihood of 96L organizing further over the Caribbean Sea, with chances currently estimated at 10-20% as of Wednesday.
Moving westward at 20-25 mph, 96L is no longer expected to strengthen into a tropical depression or storm. However, it is projected to bring heavy rainfall and strong gusty winds to the Lesser Antilles, which are still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Beryl.
Flash Flood Watch are active for Barbados, expecting an additional 1-3 inches of rain on Wednesday. Jamaica could also face substantial rainfall from 96L shortly after dealing with the aftermath of Beryl.