The National Hurricane Center is now watching an area of low pressure near the Cabo Verde Islands, which shows a high chance of developing into a tropical depression or storm. Meteorologists remain uncertain about its potential impacts on the Caribbean, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, and Bermuda. The chance for tropical development increases as an area of low pressure off the coast of Africa and near the Cabo Verde Islands becomes more organized and well-defined. The basin approaches its most active time of the year historically.
A tropical disturbance, tagged as Invest 97L, has moved off the west coast of Africa and is quickly gaining attention from forecasters. The National Hurricane Center reports that this system has a high chance of developing into a tropical depression or storm within the next week. Satellite images show clusters of thunderstorms becoming better organized as the system moves west-northwest near the Cabo Verde Islands. Warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear are creating conditions that could support steady strengthening over the next several days.
WHAT IS AN INVEST?
An “invest” is a naming convention used by the National Hurricane Center to identify areas they are investigating for possible development into a tropical depression or tropical storm within the next seven days. The designation allows the agency to run specialized computer forecast models to track the area’s potential storm development. The NHC said showers and thunderstorms continue to show signs of organization.
“Only a small increase in the organization could lead to the formation of a tropical depression before the low moves near or across the Cabo Verde Islands tonight and on Monday,” the NHC wrote Sunday morning in announcing its newest item on its tropical weather outlook.
The NHC also said that “regardless of development, locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds are possible today and Monday across the Cabo Verde Islands.”
Unlike Invest 96L, this storm is starting its trek off Africa a bit farther to the south, which means it will likely avoid dry, dusty Saharan Desert air that can keep storms from developing and have dogged 96L’s development. The disturbance is now heading north into open waters, its chances of developing into a tropical system waning further, and it is no threat to land.
The One To Watch Invest 97L Crossing The Main Development Region
The bottom line: A well-defined area of low pressure is crossing the lower latitudes of the Atlantic and could have some impacts in the northeastern Caribbean next week. Computer models are honing in on the idea of a tropical depression or storm developing from this area of low pressure. Impacts are possible closer to home, but it is far too early to talk about what those could be.
Forecast Details from Africa to the Caribbean:
- A tropical wave left the coast of Africa on Friday with a large area of disorganized thunderstorms.
- Development chances are increasing as showers and thunderstorms linked to this low-pressure area become more organized.
- The National Hurricane Center has tagged the system as Invest 97L to run specialized computer models for tracking its path and strength.
- A slight increase in organization could form a tropical depression as early as Sunday night or Monday.
- The system could pose a threat to the northeastern Caribbean by next Friday.
- The next named storms in the Atlantic Basin will be Erin and Fernand.
- Computer ensemble guidance suggests the system may be somewhere between Cuba and Bermuda in 7–10 days.
- Forecast confidence for that period is low to medium, and potential impacts on the U.S. remain uncertain.
What To Know
Updated satellite-derived winds show a well-defined low-pressure area about midway between the west coast of Africa and the Cabo Verde Islands with maximum winds near 35 mph.
“Only a small increase in the organization could lead to the formation of a tropical depression before the low moves near or across the Cabo Verde Islands tonight and on Monday,” the NHC special outlook said.
The National Hurricane Center shows the outlook for disturbances on August 10, 2025. NHC
The NHC assigned the disturbance a 60 percent chance of formation over 48 hours and a 90 percent chance over seven days. The system is moving west-northwest at roughly 15 to 20 mph.
“Locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds were possible today and Monday across the Cabo Verde Islands,” and those interested should monitor the progress of this system,” the NHC special outlook said.
A second area, Invest 96L, is being tracked by forecasters farther west in the central tropical Atlantic, with disorganized showers and thunderstorms.
The NHC assigned 96L a lower probability of development, 10 percent in 48 hours and 20 percent in seven days, citing surrounding dry air that should slow development.
What Happens Next in Invest AL97
The National Hurricane Center tracks a well-defined low near Cabo Verde. Forecasters assign AL97 high odds of a tropical depression within one day. They list 70 percent development chance through 48 hours, rising to 90 percent in seven days. The system moves westward at fifteen to twenty miles per hour. Expect locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds over Cabo Verde today. If it does not form quickly, conditions should improve later this week.
Forecasters expect that system to become a tropical depression mid-week. It may strengthen further into a tropical storm soon afterward. Communities across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic should stay alert. Mariners and island residents must follow official updates closely. The system may affect the weather over broader Atlantic waters next week.
Read about the Canyon Fire near Los Angeles that burned over 5,300 acres.
What Should You Do Now To Prepare For Hurricane Season?
Officials regularly encourage Florida residents to prepare for storms before a hurricane is approaching, while shelves are fully stocked, and you aren’t battling crowds all rushing to the store at the same time. “It only takes one storm to make it an impactful year for your community,” the National Hurricane Center in Miami posted on X. “Hurricane season is a marathon, not a sprint.” On Aug. 1, specific hurricane supplies became permanently tax-free in Florida, ranging from batteries to generators.
