Tropical Depression Seven has formed in the Atlantic and is expected to impact the Caribbean islands in the next few days, according to The Weather Channel.
The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season has been uncharacteristically quiet even with hurricanes Danielle and Earl staying in the open Atlantic Ocean.
The tropical depression is several hundred miles east of the Lesser Antilles in the western Atlantic Ocean and is moving west-northwest at 14 mph as of 10 a.m. on Sept. 14.
On this track, the tropical disturbance should reach the Lesser Antilles by Sept. 16. It could strengthen into Tropical Storm Fiona by that time, according to The Weather Channel.
Tropical Depression Seven may have to battle with more wind shear as it moves farther west-northwest, which could at least hamper development for a time as it draws closer to the Lesser Antilles.
It also could face dry air and land interaction with the northeast Caribbean islands could also hamper further organization of the system.
Parts of the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands could see increased showers, locally heavy rain, and gusty winds from Friday into the weekend.
Will the system be a threat to the mainland U.S.?
Forecasters say it’s too soon to determine if the system will become a mainland U.S. threat. It’s still uncertain whether the system will hold together partly because of the obstacles it will face over the next few days ranging from dry air to wind shear.
The system could also curl northward into the open Atlantic next week, similar to Hurricane Earl. This may be the case if it develops sooner and stronger.
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