Area to Watch Invest 94L comes to life, could develop into a depression or tropical storm Oscar

MIAMI – A tropical disturbance that had struggled to organize itself in the Atlantic Ocean for days roared to life Saturday and is now likely just hours away from developing into a tropical depression or even a tropical storm.

The storm, currently designated Invest 94L, suddenly developed a well-defined center Saturday morning and continues to produce a concentrated area of ​​showers and thunderstorms as it sits less than 100 miles east of the Turks and Caicos Islands center, according to the National Hurricane Center.

What is an “investment”?

Just 75 minutes after the NHC increased the chance of development from 30% to 60%, the agency released a special statement that now points to a tropical depression or depression
The storm is expected to be announced later Saturday morning.

“Those interested in the Turks and Caicos Islands, southeastern Bahamas and eastern Cuba should closely monitor this system as tropical storm warnings may be required later (Saturday) morning,” the NHC said, adding that the likelihood of it developed into a tropical storm, now at 90% it is a cyclone.

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If the storm develops sufficient organization with winds of at least 37 mph, it would take the name Tropical Storm Oscar and become the second tropical storm to receive a name on Saturday, joining Tropical Storm Nadine on Saturday was baptized early Saturday morning near Belize.

TROPICAL STORM NADINE THREATENES VISITING RAIN IN BELIZE, SOUTHERN MEXICO

Invest 94L is expected to pass north of Hispanola on Saturday and then move near the Turks and Caicos Islands, the southeastern Bahamas and far eastern Cuba on Sunday, the NHC said. The storm could bring heavy rainfall, rough surf and gusty winds.

Could Invest 94L reach the US?

While the northern Caribbean islands should monitor 94L's progress, the storm continues to pose no threat to the United States.

An extensive ridge of high pressure anchored over the East Coast acts as a protective barrier, with a front at the ridge's boundary providing hostile atmospheric conditions for any tropical systems approaching Florida or the southeast coast.