BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - A new tropical wave that was expected to leave the coast of Africa yesterday (Aug. 5) is now the center of attention for regional meteorologists.
The tropical wave near the west coast of Africa is said to be producing a large area of disorganised showers and thunderstorms.
The wave is expected to move off the coasts of Senegal, The Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau late last night; and environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development.
Forecasters predict that a tropical depression is likely to form over the eastern tropical Atlantic south of the Cabo Verde Islands by late Saturday or early Sunday, while the system moves westward to west-northwestward at about 15 mph.
In its outlook for the storm, the National Hurricane Center gave formation chances through 48 hours at medium 40 percent. Chances for development over the next four days is at a high 70 percent.
That goes along with another tropical wave currently out in the central Atlantic, which is producing a broad area of disorganised showers and thunderstorms.
Forecasters noted that environmental conditions are expected to be marginally conducive for some slow development east of the Lesser Antilles by early next week.
Formation chances remain very low.
