Tropical Storm Dexter Heads Away From East Coast As The National Hurricane Center Watches Two Other Areas
Tropical Storm Dexter
Dexter was first designated a tropical storm late Sunday night, after an area of low pressure first formed along a stalled frontal boundary off the Southeast coast between North Carolina's Outer Banks and Bermuda.
It then sprouted enough persistent thunderstorms and separated from the front to become the fourth tropical storm of the season. It's not uncommon for tropical systems to develop this way.
(MORE: 5 Different Ways Tropical Storms And Hurricanes Can Form, Including From Tropical Waves To Gyres)
The good news is that Dexter is moving away from the U.S., and expected to become ripped apart by stronger wind shear. However, we could still see high surf and possible rip currents along the East Coast for the next several days.
Two Other Areas To Watch In The Atlantic
In addition to Dexter, the National Hurricane Center is watching two other areas for development.
1. Southeast Coast: Another area of low pressure could form along the old stalled front off the Southeast coast later this week. There is a low chance it could gradually organize into a tropical depression mid- to late week while moving northwest toward the coastal Carolinas.
The Southeast is already seeing wet conditions to start this week, but this disturbance could help generate more showers and thunderstorms with locally heavy rain along the Southeast coast as the week comes to a close.
2. Atlantic Tropical Wave: The third area to watch is a tropical wave that has emerged into the Atlantic from Africa. This system could form into a tropical depression or storm late this week once it reaches the central Atlantic. For now, it is no immediate threat to land.
The next two hurricane names on the list following Dexter are Erin and Fernand.
(MORE: What Is A Tropical Wave?)
Southeast, Lesser Antilles Favored Development Areas In August
A steep increase in tropical activity has historically occurred over the next 4-6 weeks across the Atlantic basin.
Tropical development can occur anywhere from the Gulf and Southeast coasts to the Central Atlantic and even off the coast of Canada.
(MORE: Hurricane Season's Main Event: Why August Typically Kicks Off The Atlantic's Most Active Time)
This is because water temperatures are near their annual peak, Saharan air has typically mixed out, wind shear is decreasing and instability across the basin is high. These are all favorable conditions for tropical formation.
Jonathan Belles has been a digital meteorologist for weather.com for 9 years and also assists in the production of videos for The Weather Channel en español. His favorite weather is tropical weather, but also enjoys covering high-impact weather and news stories and winter storms. He's a two-time graduate of Florida State University and a proud graduate of St. Petersburg College.
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