Tropical depression could form this week in southwest Caribbean Sea, forecasters say

A tropical depression could form this week from a trough of low pressure over the southwestern Caribbean Sea.

National Hurricane Center forecasters have given it a 40% chance of developing within the next five days, and a 10% chance within the next two days.

The disturbance is expected to move in a northwesterly direction near eastern Nicaragua and Honduras, bringing very heavy rains to the area.

Currently, the warmer water temperatures in the Caribbean Sea and low wind shear are factors conducive to tropical storm development. However, the presence of Saharan dust generally inhibits development.

The dust is expected to lessen by Thursday or Friday, according to AccuWeather.

[ Saharan dust brings high temperatures to South Florida this week ]

If the disturbance were to form into a named storm, it would be called Bonnie.

Breaking News Alerts

As it happens

Get updates on developing stories as they happen with our free breaking news email alerts.

Regardless of development, it could have some indirect weather impact on the U.S. late this week, including bringing moisture to the Southwestern states, potentially including the Texas Gulf Coast, AccuWeather reported.

Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center are monitoring a trough of low pressure for potential development over the southwestern Caribbean Sea. It has been given a 40% chance of developing over the next five days. (National Hurricane Center/Courtesy)

No additional tropical activity is expected in the Atlantic in the next five days, according to the NHC.

Tropical Storm Alex, the Atlantic’s first named storm of 2022, was short-lived. It developed on June 5 and dissipated over the Atlantic Ocean about 48 hours later.

[ Astra Space fails to deliver NASA’s hurricane-tracking satellites to orbit ]

Prior to becoming a tropical storm, however, Alex caused the deaths of three people in Cuba, drenched South Florida on June 4 and brought heavy rain and gusty winds to Bermuda.

It is expected to be an active hurricane season.

It’s a La Niña year, meaning water temperatures will be warmer than usual, which is conducive for tropical development, and there will most likely be less wind shear to tear storms apart.

Colorado State University’s hurricane season outlook, released in early June, forecasted 20 named storms, 10 hurricanes, and five major hurricanes.