Forecasters watching an area of disturbed weather approaching Western Caribbean

Tropical Weather Outlook NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL

A broad area of low pressure over the central Caribbean Sea continues to produce disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Environmental conditions are forecast to be conducive for gradual development over the next few days, and a tropical depression is likely to form by early next week while the disturbance moves west-northwestward at 10 to 15 mph over the central Caribbean Sea. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is currently investigating the disturbance. Regardless of development, locally heavy rainfall is possible over portions of the Lesser Antilles, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico through this weekend. * Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...50 percent. * Formation chance through 5 days...high...70 percent.