8/6 – Breaking Down the Tropical Outlook

We’ve officially made it to August, and while the first quarter of hurricane season has been relatively quiet, things are starting to heat up in the tropics.

Tropical Storm Dexter is currently churning out in the Atlantic with winds of 50 mph. It’s expected to strengthen a bit more, possibly reaching winds near 70 mph, but it’s likely to remain a tropical storm as it curves northeast and stays out to sea.

Closer to home, there’s an area of disorganized showers and storms lingering off the coasts of Georgia and the Carolinas. While it’s not looking especially organized right now, there’s a small window for some development heading into the weekend. The National Hurricane Center has given it a 30% chance of development over the next seven days.

We’re also keeping an eye on the eastern Atlantic, where several tropical waves are expected to roll off the African coast over the next couple of weeks. Conditions out there are becoming a bit more favorable for gradual development.

As always, this is a good reminder that the historical peak of hurricane season is around September 10, so we’re entering what’s typically known as an active stretch. Now’s a good time to make sure your hurricane plans are up to date—just in case. You can find a list of what to include in your hurricane kit at https://www.ready.gov/kit.