Invest 92L
As the Atlantic hurricane season intensifies, meteorologists are closely monitoring a system identified as Invest 91L. This system, located in the tropical Atlantic, has shown signs of development with environmental conditions becoming increasingly conducive for its strengthening. Forecasters predict the system could develop into a tropical storm in the coming days, with several models suggesting a potential impact on the Caribbean and possibly the southeastern United States. As the storm progresses, officials urge residents in the projected path to stay informed and prepare for the possibility of severe weather conditions.
Invest 91L's trajectory remains uncertain, sparking interest as it edges closer to major landmasses. The system is presently exhibiting disorganized thunderstorms but possesses a strong potential for escalation. If it forms into a named storm, it will further contribute to the already active 2025 hurricane season. Communities along the likely track have been advised to maintain heightened vigilance and prepare emergency plans, while authorities continue to watch the weather maps and provide regular updates.
September 15, 2025, at 7:15 AM EDT
A tropical wave in the far eastern Atlantic is near 36W with a low pressure near 11N36W, moving westward at 10 to 15 knots. It is producing fresh to strong winds and 8 ft seas. Significant convection is occurring, with the potential for tropical depression formation by the middle to latter part of the week.
A central Atlantic tropical wave is near 50W moving westward, showing scattered moderate convection. Meanwhile, a Caribbean tropical wave near 70W is progressing westward with associated scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms.
The Gulf of America is under the influence of high pressure leading to gentle to moderate winds and 2 to 5 ft seas. Winds may freshen due to stronger high pressure and a tropical wave approaching from the western Caribbean Sea.
In the Caribbean Sea, fresh to strong winds are in the south-central areas with moderate winds elsewhere. A passing tropical wave will cause fresh trades and occasional thunderstorms. Another wave is expected in the eastern Caribbean by midweek.
Over the Atlantic Ocean, a surface trough near 33N74W is producing moderate winds and 6 to 8 ft seas. High pressure is established north of the region, with moderate trades and occasional higher seas near the eastern waves and low pressures.
Forecasts indicate high pressure will maintain moderate conditions through the week. A tropical depression may form over the central tropical Atlantic as a wave advances west-northwestward, potentially increasing winds and seas by week's end.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecasted an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season for 2025.
Named Storms: 13 to 19
Hurricanes: 6 to 10
Major Hurricanes (Category 3 or higher): 3 to 5
Accumulate Cyclone Energy (ACE): 95% to 180% of the median
This forecast indicates a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30Key: Active Past Future
*Press/click the storm name to view additional details2020 - 30 named storms, 14 hurricanes
Hurricane Katrina (2005) - $125 billion
Harvey (2017) - $125 billion
Hurricane Patricia (2015) - 215 mph (345 km/h)
Hurricane Allen (1980) - 190 mph (305 km/h)
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating system that classifies hurricanes based on their sustained wind speeds and the potential damage they can cause. It helps communicate the intensity of hurricanes and the likely impacts on structures and environments. The scale does not account for factors like storm surge or rainfall, focusing only on wind speeds.
Watching the Tropics was originally built as a personal storm tracker with only the most important charts for the Atlantic hurricane basin. Numerous sites are available for tracking hurricanes, but Watching the Tropics minimizes extra "noise" and shows only what you need.
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"Watching the tropics" refers to monitoring tropical weather systems, such as tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes, in regions close to the equator. Meteorologists and weather enthusiasts often use this phrase during hurricane season to indicate that they're keeping an eye on developing weather systems that could potentially strengthen and impact areas like the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic Ocean.
Websites, news outlets, or weather services also use "Tropics Watch" to keep the public informed about the latest developments in the tropics, especially during peak hurricane season.
An "invest" refers to an area of disturbed weather that meteorologists are investigating for potential tropical development. The term "invest" is short for "investigation area."
When an area is designated as an invest, it is given a number (between 90 and 99) followed by the letter "L" for systems in the North Atlantic or "E" for systems in the Eastern Pacific. For example, "Invest 91L" would refer to the 91st area of interest in the Atlantic basin for that season.
The designation of an invest allows meteorologists to focus their resources on a specific area, utilize specialized forecasting models, and issue updates as needed.
A tropical depression is a type of tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of less than 39 mph (34 knots or 63 km/h).
Key characteristics:
It's the first stage of development in the tropical cyclone classification used by the National Hurricane Center, followed by tropical storm and then hurricane.
