Tropical Depression Six
Tropical Depression Six is currently moving slowly north-northeastward with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph (55 km/h). Located about 475 miles southwest of the Azores, the depression is expected to continue moving northeast through Sunday and then turn eastward by Sunday night. A southwestward motion is anticipated to begin on Monday. Although some strengthening is possible, turning the depression into a tropical storm on Sunday, a weakening trend is expected by Monday. There are currently no coastal watches or warnings in effect, and no hazards are affecting land.
The National Hurricane Center is closely monitoring a weather system in the Atlantic Ocean known as Invest 99L, which has a high potential to develop into Tropical Storm Fay. This disturbance has been showing signs of organization, with environmental conditions conducive for further strengthening. As it approaches warmer waters, meteorologists are predicting its transformation into a tropical storm within the next couple of days. The exact path of the storm remains uncertain, but projections indicate a likelihood of it curving away from the U.S. mainland.
Meanwhile, in the mid-Atlantic near the Azores, Tropical Depression Six has formed under the influence of a similar tropical wave. Weather experts are watching this system closely as it is also expected to become Tropical Storm Fay shortly. Although it is far from the Texas coast and away from any major landmass, there is heightened interest among meteorologists due to its potential development and any subsequent impacts on transatlantic maritime routes. While there is currently no direct threat to land, forecasters caution vigilance as conditions can rapidly evolve.
Invest 99L
In developing weather news, Invest 99L is rapidly organizing and is expected to become the Atlantic's sixth named storm. This development is occurring amid a strengthening El Niño, which typically influences the Atlantic hurricane season. Meteorologists are closely monitoring the system's movement as it could gain further intensity and impact various regions. These atmospheric conditions underscore the need for continued vigilance in areas prone to extreme weather events.
Simultaneously, Florida is under close watch due to Invest 98L, with forecasts suggesting an increase in rain and thunderstorms. This system highlights the potential for disruptive weather patterns as it progresses. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Fernand is also being tracked for possible impacts on Florida, as this active tropical season unfolds. Weather experts emphasize preparedness, particularly in coastal regions, as these systems could bring significant weather challenges.
The Tropical Weather Discussion from the NWS National Hurricane Center in Miami discusses several features across the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf regions. The key highlights include a central Atlantic tropical wave near 45W, and another one in the western Caribbean, both associated with scattered convection. The Gulf of America has a weak pressure gradient with a low-pressure area contributing to isolated showers.
In the Caribbean, moderate to fresh trades continue, influenced by a trough, and scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected. The Atlantic Ocean features several troughs with associated convection, while Tropical Depression Six is situated near the Azores, expected to move north-northeast.
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.
