Disturbances in Atlantic show increasing potential for strengthening into tropical depressions

With less than 24 hours to go, if no tropical disturbances strengthen to become a named storm, August 2022 will join an elite club.

Since the satellite era began in 1960, there have been only two years — 1961 and 1997 — where there were no tropical storms or hurricanes in the Atlantic basin.

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring three disturbances in the Atlantic. All three could become tropical depressions in the coming days.

The one with the highest chance of development in the central Atlantic — Invest 91L —could become a tropical depression within a couple of days, according to the Hurricane Center.

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Chances ticked up slightly overnight to a 60 percent chance for development over the next two days. Chances remained at 80 percent over the next five days.

If if becomes a tropical storm, it would be Danielle, the fourth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.

The last storm of the season was Tropical Storm Colin, which developed off the coast of the Carolinas over the Fourth of July weekend.

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Here's the latest update from the NHC as of 8 a.m. Aug. 31:

What's out there and where are they?

Invest 91L: Shower and thunderstorm activity associated with an area of low pressure located several hundred miles east of the Lesser Antilles has changed little this morning.

Tropical wave 1: Showers and thunderstorms associated with a broad area of low pressure located between the west coast of Africa and the Cabo Verde Islands have become slightly better organized.

Tropical wave 2: An area of low pressure has formed along a decaying frontal zone over the central subtropical Atlantic about 850 miles west-southwest of the westernmost Azores.

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How likely are they to strengthen?

Invest 91L: Although environmental conditions are only marginally conducive, additional gradual development of this system is expected and a tropical depression is likely to form within the next couple of days.

The disturbance is forecast to move slowly toward the west-northwest, toward the adjacent waters of the northern Leeward Islands

• Formation chance through 48 hours: medium, 60 percent.

• Formation chance through 5 days: high, 80 percent.

Tropical wave 1: Some gradual development is possible, and the system could become a short-lived tropical depression over the far eastern Atlantic during the next couple of days.

By late this week, environmental conditions are forecast to become increasingly unfavorable for further development. Regardless, the system could bring locally heavy rainfall to portions of the Cabo Verde Islands through Thursday.

• Formation chance through 48 hours: medium, 40 percent.

• Formation chance through 5 days: medium, 50 percent.

Tropical wave 2: Environmental conditions are expected to be conducive for development, and a tropical or subtropical depression is likely to form during the next few days while the system drifts generally eastward.

• Formation chance through 48 hours: medium, 60 percent.

• Formation chance through 5 days: high, 70 percent.

Who is likely to be impacted?

Invest 91L: It's possible the system could be steered by the Bermuda high. If so, it could direct the disturbance northeast of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico over the weekend and then past the Bahamas early next week, according to  AccuWeather.

However, other conditions, including a dip in the jet stream, could block a more northly path and send the disturbance more toward the U.S. coastline.

Other tropical waves: It's too early at this time to determine if there will be any impact to the U.S. from the other tropical waves out there.

Forecasters urge all residents to continue monitoring the tropics and to always be prepared during what's expected to be an active hurricane season.

Colorado State University's 2-week forecast for Aug. 18-31

Meteorologists forecast normal hurricane activity over the next two weeks, with a 15% chance of above-normal activity and a 15% chance of below-normal activity.

Tropical cyclone activity is likely to increase later in the period.

When is the Atlantic hurricane season?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.

When is the peak of hurricane season?

Although the season has gotten off to a quiet start, the peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the Hurricane Center.

Weather watches and warnings issued for your area

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Tropical forecast for the next five days

See the National Hurricane Center's five-day graphical tropical weather outlook below.

Excessive rainfall forecast

What's out there?

Systems currently being monitored by the National Hurricane Center.

What's next?

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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Tropics watch: NHC forecasts tropical depressions possible this week