Invest 98L Designated as Atlantic Hurricane Season Hits a Historic Low

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is monitoring Invest 98L in the open waters of the Atlantic. The feature is notable in this quiet tropical weather season that has yet to produce a hurricane. Read on for what you need to know about this disturbance.

Invest 98L on the Radar South of Bermuda

The NHC marked a cluster of rain showers and storms as Invest 98L on Wednesday. The forecasting agency has given this feature a low chance of further development over the next two days. But meteorologists warn that "environmental conditions could become a little more conducive for development in the next few days."

Most tropical weather events this time of the year originate off the coast of Africa and move west across the Atlantic. However, this particular feature came together in the subtropical Atlantic outside of the Main Development Region (MDR).

There is some discrepancy in the forecasting models, adding to the uncertainty about the future of Invest 98L. Although the AI models are predicting that the invest will evolve into a strong storm, the more traditional tools suggest that the system will dissipate.

In the short term, forecasters will be watching to see if this disturbance moves farther west and into an area teeming with more favorable environmental conditions. The trough will first need to develop a defined area of low pressure. Should this low-pressure zone come together as predicted, the models will be able to provide a better idea if this system will pose a threat to land.

Interests in and near Bermuda will want to keep a close eye on this disturbance. From there, it is forecast that the system will take a turn to the north and away from the U.S.  

Monitoring the Central American Gyre

Forecasters are also monitoring the threat of the Central American Gyre making its presence known. This expansive area of low pressure that hovers near Central America is known for generating locally heavy rain, thunderstorms, rough seas, and mudslides this time of the year.

The gyre typically begins to strengthen and become a player in this corner of the Atlantic in October. Hurricane Idalia was blamed on the Central American Gyre in 2023, eventually reaching the status of a Category 4 storm.

In addition to Invest 98L and the potential impacts of the strengthening Central American Gyre, the latest Climate Prediction Center's 2-week tropical outlook forecasts the chance of tropical development in the eastern edge of the MDR off the coast of the Southeast.

There have only been five tropical storms thus far in the Atlantic this year, falling well below the historical average by this point in the season. Most notably, the Atlantic has now surpassed the satellite-era record for the latest date without a hurricane.

This is generally the time of the season when the Atlantic is the most active. A powerful El Niño is being credited with suppressing tropical weather in this part of the world.

Weather changes fast, so help your community stay prepared. Share this story with friends, family, or your group chat, and keep your forecast in the now with Weather Forecast Now.