Tropical Storm Dolly Forms, Tracking Toward the Northeast Caribbean

Tropical Storm Dolly has formed over the south-central Atlantic and is heading toward the Leeward Islands this weekend, though hostile wind shear and dry air could weaken or even dissolve the storm before it arrives.

Dolly Targets the Leeward Islands With Rain and Rough Seas

Dolly developed from a tropical wave that grew better organized over the south-central Atlantic, and is expected to approach the Leeward Islands this weekend with downpours and gusty squalls. The name has no connection to the recent passing of the country music star; Atlantic storm names are set years in advance from a rotating list.

At a minimum, the storm is forecast to bring locally drenching showers, gusty thunderstorms and choppy seas to the Leeward Islands and possibly the northern Windward Islands. Rainfall of 1 to 4 inches is expected from the Leewards through Puerto Rico, Hispaniola and Cuba, with mountainous terrain capable of enhancing totals in some spots and an isolated maximum of 12 inches possible. Those islands rely heavily on seasonal rainfall for their year-round water supply, so the rain could bring some benefit even as it raises flash flooding risk.