Invest 94L
Tropical disturbances in the Atlantic are capturing significant attention as two systems, labeled Invest 92L and Invest 94L, show potential for development. Invest 94L is currently situated in the eastern Atlantic and is drawing closer scrutiny from meteorologists. The system could develop further as it moves towards Florida, although its future path remains uncertain. Meteorologists are keeping a watchful eye, especially since the impact on Florida hinges on its development trajectory in the coming days.
Meanwhile, spaghetti models are a key tool being employed to assess potential paths of these weather disturbances. The models provide a range of possibilities, helping to predict areas that may see impacts from these developing systems. Invest 92L, which also poses a threat, continues to move through the Atlantic with less certainty of landfall. Residents in potentially affected regions are advised to stay informed through regular updates from weather authorities as conditions can rapidly change.
August 18, 2026, at 12:15 AM EDT
A far eastern tropical wave is moving westward at about 10 kt with isolated convection between 16W and 21W. An Atlantic tropical wave near 38W is moving west at 10-15 kt without significant convection. A tropical wave nearing the Lesser Antilles with scattered moderate convection from 12N to 20N between 56W and 62W is moving west at 15 kt. Another wave in the Caribbean at 78W is generating moderate convection.
High pressure at 26N85W maintains gentle winds and slight seas in the Gulf of Mexico, with moderate to fresh N to NE winds in the Bay of Campeche due to a trough near the Yucatan Peninsula. Forecasts expect a diurnal trough inducing fresh to strong winds near the Yucatan peninsula, with slight to moderate seas persisting.
In the Caribbean, interaction between a tropical wave and a trough over the Yucatan Peninsula is causing moderate convection, with fresh to strong trades and rough seas centrally. Moderate to fresh winds and seas will persist in the north-central and eastern regions, supported by the subtropical ridge.
The Atlantic sees a cold front extending southeast from a low near 33N53W to 27N61W; scattered moderate convection and fresh to strong SW winds are east and south of the front. High pressure in the central and eastern Atlantic supports moderate or weaker winds. Forecasts north of 22N expect mainly light to gentle winds, while moderate to fresh easterly winds are expected south of 22N.
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.
