First Atlantic Hurricane of 2025 Could Form This Week

It is looking more and more likely that the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic tropical weather season will come to life during the middle of August. What is fueling this confidence? Read on for all of the details.

Invest 97L Could Impact the Caribbean and Bermuda

The first hurricane in the Atlantic basin this year could be on the way. Forecasters are predicting that a tropical rainstorm is going to intensify into a hurricane sometime this week as it churns over the Atlantic Ocean. Meanwhile, two additional areas of possible development are also being monitored closely by the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The next name up on the list of predetermined monikers is Erin.

A zone of rain showers and thunderstorms ejected off the coast of Africa last week, laying the groundwork for the next named tropical feature. This cluster of activity intensified into a tropical rainstorm on Sunday morning as it churned near the Cabo Verde Islands.

The NHC has identified this zone of concern as Invest 97L. By putting a tag on this system, it sends the signal that it has the potential to develop into a named feature.

There are a number of atmospheric and environmental factors that are expected to fuel this developing tropical weather matter. A lack of dry and dusty air is pairing with the absence of disruptive wind shear to keep the system growing as it moves from the east to the west. The feature will also be able to feed on the exceptionally warm water in this part of the Atlantic this time of the year.

Invest 97L could become a tropical depression as early as Monday. The average date for the first hurricane to form in the Atlantic basin is August 11. This puts this season right on track for typical dates of development should this system indeed mature into a hurricane in the days ahead.

The Cabo Verde Islands off of the coast of Africa will continue to be under the gun for locally heavy rain and high winds into the early part of the week. The feature will continue its journey to the west in the days ahead before making a turn to the north in the Caribbean. This turn is forecast to happen by the weekend.

Prior to the turn, the developing storm could land between Cuba and Bermuda in about one week. Portions of the Caribbean could also see the impacts of this developing tropical weather event.

The good news is that the turn to the north will likely send the feature away from the East Coast of the U.S. Despite the foreast of no direct strike on U.S. soil, the Atlantic coastline should anticipate rough surf conditions and potentially dangerous rip currents next weekend and into the early part of the new week. Those hoping for some beach time in the waning days of summer will want to pay heed to this forecast.

What Else is Happening in the Atlantic?

There are two additional areas of interest being watched for tropical activity this week in the Atlantic. The first area of action is happening over the open waters of the central Atlantic. This zone is not of concern to meteorologists, as a variety of prohibitive factors will put a lid on its future intensification. Additionally, the current steering breezes in this part of the Atlantic will send the feature to the north and away from any major landmasses.

Hurricane watchers are also monitoring a third area of potential development later this week. This system will get its start as a tropical wave coming off the coast of Africa and toward the Cabo Verde Islands. This wave could spell trouble for interests in the Caribbean.

There have been four named storms thus far this year in the tropical Atlantic. The last named feature was in early August when Tropical Storm Dexter churned through the open seas of the basin. The peak of the Atlantic season typically happens in early to mid-September.

The NHC notes this is when you can expect a steep uptick in the prevalence of tropical activity in the Atlantic. New tropical waves typically emerge every few days from the coast of Africa, planting the seeds for future development.

Stay tuned as we continue to update the tropical weather outlook for the U.S. and beyond.

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