Post-Tropical Cyclone Fay
The National Hurricane Center has issued its last advisory on Post-Tropical Cyclone Fay, which has now degenerated into a remnant low-pressure area. As of 900 PM GMT on September 22, 2026, Fay is located about 685 miles southwest of the Azores, with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and moving west-southwest at 9 mph. No coastal watches or warnings are in effect, and the system is expected to gradually weaken over the next few days.
Tropical Storm Fay recently formed in the Atlantic, initially generating concern as it approached hurricane strength. The storm's trajectory was closely monitored, highlighting the potential impact on coastal regions. Meteorologists tracked the storm's progress using various models to predict its path and potential landfall. As the storm developed, there was speculation about how it might affect weather patterns along its projected course.
However, as the storm progressed, its intensity began to diminish, eventually weakening to a tropical depression. This downgrading eased initial concerns about severe damage or major impact on coastal areas. While the storm's weakened state reduced the threat of high winds and heavy rainfall, it continued to be monitored for potential effects on marine activities and ongoing weather conditions. Authorities reminded residents to stay informed about updates and be prepared for any changes in the storm's activity.
September 22, 2026, at 1:15 PM EDT
Heavy Rainfall in Central America, Jamaica, and Cuba is expected due to a middle to upper-level trough over the NW Caribbean. Warm sea surface temperatures and a Central American Gyre forming will lead to enhanced moisture funneling into these areas, supporting heavy rainfall through the 26th. Regions expected to be affected include extreme SE Mexico, southern and central Guatemala, western Honduras, El Salvador, southern and eastern Belize, as well as portions of Costa Rica and Panama. Heavy rainfall is currently ongoing over western Jamaica and western Cuba, raising concerns for life-threatening flash flooding and landslides. Local weather services and the International Desk at the Weather Prediction Center can provide more information.
In the Atlantic Ocean, Tropical Depression Fay is centered near 31.1N 34.6W, moving SW at 9 kt with maximum sustained winds of 30 kt. Scattered showers and thunderstorms continue across the Bahamas, off the coast of Florida, and between the Bahamas and Bermuda. Another upper low is causing scattered showers and thunderstorms in the central Atlantic, north of 20N between 40W and 60W. A weak pressure gradient supports gentle to moderate trades, with seas ranging from 3 to 6 ft.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecasted an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season for 2025.
Named Storms: 8 to 14
Hurricanes: 3 to 6
Major Hurricanes (Category 3 or higher): 1 to 3
Accumulate Cyclone Energy (ACE): 95% to 180% of the median
Primary Influencing Factor: Developing El Niño conditions expected to suppress Atlantic storm activity
This forecast indicates:
Despite the lower forecast, NOAA emphasizes that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to create a major disaster, and residents in hurricane-prone areas should still prepare as usual for the season.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30Key: Active Past Future
*Press/click the storm name to view additional detailsDespite fewer total storms than forecasted, the 2025 season produced several extremely intense hurricanes, including three Category 5 systems, making it one of the more powerful Atlantic seasons in recent history.
2020 - 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.
Designed in Florida by
"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.
