Atlantic to teem with tropical activity, concerns to arise for Caribbean, US
Budding tropical activity across the Atlantic has AccuWeather meteorologists tracking several systems, some of which could threaten the U.S. in the days ahead.
There are multiple systems in the Atlantic right now that could turn into tropical storms, but what effect will they have on the U.S.? AccuWeather’s Geoff Cornish breaks it down.
Budding activity over the vast Atlantic hurricane basin has AccuWeather meteorologists closely watching multiple areas of interest, and some of those may pose a threat to the United States in the coming days.
There will be some tropical concerns near the U.S. coast in the next several days, but the backbone of the Atlantic tropical activity, known as the Cabo Verde season, is about to take center stage. Cabo Verde is a group of islands just west of the African coast and is an approximate starting point for tropical waves of low pressure that can evolve into long-track hurricanes.
Dexter, the fourth tropical storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, has dissipated over the North Atlantic Thursday.
Near Carolina coast tropical development risk
AccuWeather meteorologists have been monitoring a stalled front that extends from the Southeast states to waters offshore of the Carolinas. This front helped birth Dexter and could assist in the creation of another tropical storm.
Should a tropical depression or storm develop, it will track northeastward over the Atlantic Ocean.
"Even though the center of the budding storm will likely stay offshore, slow movement and proximity to the Carolina coast would still result in some downpours and wind in part of that region from late this week to the start of the weekend," AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said. "Because it will remain over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream for a couple of days, strengthening to a tropical depression or tropical storm is not unreasonable, with heavy rain and a risk of flooding along part of the immediate southern Atlantic coast a concern."
Depending on the eventual strength of the tropical concern near the coast, rough surf and choppy seas may temporarily occur. However, this will not be the long-anticipated big hurricane strike on the Northeast, but the heart of the Atlantic season is on the doorstep.
Next threat in the Gulf
A few days later, a tropical wave that started off over Africa a couple of weeks ago will drift over the northern Gulf from later this weekend to early next week.
"We have assigned a low risk of tropical development with this area of interest," DaSilva said. "The low chance of development may drop off if trends continue."
Watching for long-track tropical cyclones originating from Africa
Meanwhile, thousands of miles to the southeast, the Cabo Verde tropical waves are beginning to show a bit more frequency and vigor, when compared to prior weeks.
On this image, captured on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, bumps and enhancements to thunderstorm activity from Africa (lower right) to northern South America (lower left) are indicative of tropical waves of low pressure. Clouds, showers and thunderstorms continue to gather near the Carolina, Georgia and Florida coasts (middle left). (AccuWeather Enhanced RealVue™ Satellite)
AccuWeather meteorologists are highlighting two of these tropical waves for potential development into mid-August.
"One that has been assigned a likelihood to develop from Aug. 8 to Aug. 11 is likely to turn to the north before reaching the northeastern islands of the Caribbean," DaSilva said. "Still, that feature could get close enough to the U.S. to bring an uptick in seas and surf along the Atlantic coast and especially around Bermuda during the middle of next week. A second tropical wave, a couple of days later, that we believe has a chance to develop, would take a more southerly track across the Caribbean."
The potential development time frame on that second wave is Aug. 13 to Aug. 15, and if it develops, it could impact the Caribbean as it moves along around the middle of the month and possibly Central or North America, including the U.S. shortly thereafter.
A few words about the remainder of August
AccuWeather meteorologists believe there will be three to five named storms during the month of August in the Atlantic, of which one or two will become hurricanes. The next few names on the list of tropical storms for this season are Erin, Fernand and Gabrielle.
As of Aug. 8, there has not yet been a hurricane in the Atlantic this season. The historical average date for the first hurricane is Aug. 15, and the same date for the fifth tropical storm is Aug. 22.
"The tropics were unusually quiet last August and into the start of September. The activity we’re seeing in the Atlantic basin right now is typical, not unusual. Every season is different," DaSilva said. "It’s a good time to check your emergency supplies, safety plans, evacuation zones and evacuation routes. The heart of the hurricane season is right around the corner.”
Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
Report a Typo
