Invest 94L
Tropical activity is intensifying in the Atlantic, with several systems being monitored closely as they develop. Invest 94L is currently attracting significant attention due to its potential trajectory towards the southeastern United States, including Florida. Meteorologists are analyzing various spaghetti models to predict the storm's path and intensity, although it remains uncertain whether it will strengthen into a hurricane. The public is advised to stay informed as forecasts evolve and preparedness plans may need to be enacted in potential impact zones.
Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center is tracking other systems in the tropics that could also influence weather conditions in the coming days. Along with Invest 94L, Invest 92L is being watched for its development prospects and possible impacts. These disturbances highlight a particularly active period in the tropical season, signaling a need for heightened awareness and vigilance. Experts emphasize the importance of heeding official updates to ensure safety and minimize disruption as these systems progress.
August 20, 2026, at 2:15 PM EDT
An eastern Atlantic tropical wave is moving westward along 29W, with scattered moderate convection observed. A central Atlantic wave is moving westward at 45W, showing similar convection patterns. An eastern Caribbean wave along 64W has scattered convection south from the Virgin Islands. In the western Caribbean, a wave along 79W has developed moderate convection.
The monsoon trough is active along the Atlantic, entering through Senegal and extending southwestward, with scattered moderate to isolated strong convection. In the Gulf of America, outflow from southeastern U.S. convection and high pressure near 26N89W support moderate winds, with some ongoing seas reaching 4 ft in the Bay of Campeche.
In the Caribbean Sea, fresh to strong trades are observed in the south-central basin with moderate trades elsewhere. The forecast suggests trades will remain fresh to gale-force, with rough seas due to the pressure gradient. In the Atlantic, a stationary front and a surface trough contribute to scattered moderate convection. Subtropical ridging supports moderate trades with seas ranging from 5 to 7 ft between 12N and 24N. Forecasts indicate light winds in areas north of 23N, with moderate trades southward, particularly near northern Hispaniola.
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.
