Tropical disturbance forms over Atlantic

Showers and thunderstorms associated with a broad area of low pressure over the Atlantic Ocean are gradually becoming better organized.   The disturbance, labeled Invest 97, is located about 700 miles east-southeast of the Windward Islands.

Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center in Miami say a tropical depression is likely to form during the next day or two while the system moves westward to west-northwestward near 20 mph.

"Our latest Invest 97 has a 90 percent chance of becoming our next named storm in the Atlantic this week," said FOX 35 Chief Meteorologist Glenn Richards.  "Right now, it is expected to continue moving west and become a tropical depression very soon."

Areas that will be impacted include in the eastern and central Caribbean Sea, including the northern coast of South America.  Those areas should monitor the progress of this system. 

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Regardless of development, heavy rains and strong gusty winds, possibly to tropical storm force, are expected to spread over the Windward Islands and portions of the southern Lesser Antilles beginning late Tuesday or Wednesday.

"Long range models show this system strengthening in the Caribbean and then moving north early next week," Richards added. 

An Air Force Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate this disturbance on Tuesday
afternoon.