2 tropical depressions may form in Atlantic later this week. See Dexter impacts to Florida

Date:2025-08-05 21:41:24 Category:US Views:1 Comment:0

Two tropical depressions could form later this week or over the weekend.

One of the disturbances is located a few hundred miles off Florida and the southeastern coast of the United States.

Farther out in the Atlantic, Tropical Storm Dexter weakened slightly overnight but is expected to strengthen before dissipating later this week.

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It's expected to bring an increased risk for increased surf and a medium risk for rip currents to Florida and the Atlantic coast.

Dexter formed almost two weeks earlier than the historical average for the fourth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season. The average date for the fourth storm is Aug. 15. Historically, the first hurricane develops in the Atlantic Aug. 11.

The next named storms of the Atlantic hurricane season will be Erin and Fernand.

Here's the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center as of 8 a.m., Aug. 5:

Where is Tropical Storm Dexter and where is it going?

Location: 345 miles north of Bermuda
Maximum sustained winds: 40 mph
Movement: northeast at 12 mph
Pressure: 1,005 mb
Next advisory: 11 a.m.

➤ Tropical Storm Dexter: See latest spaghetti models, any Florida impacts

Spaghetti models for Tropical Storm Dexter

Special note about spaghetti models: Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.

➤ Track Tropical Storm Dexter

Will Dexter become a hurricane? Will it threaten Florida?

Tropical Storm Dexter 5 a.m. Aug. 4, 2025.

While far from Florida, Dexter is expected to bring higher surf conditions of 2 to 4 feet, along with a moderate risk for rip currents, according to the National Weather Service Melbourne.

➤ How often has Florida been impacted, threatened by August hurricanes? We took a look back

"Dexter, along with developing easterly breezes around high pressure near the Northeast states, will create locally rough surf and periodic strong rip currents along the Atlantic coast beaches this week from Florida to Massachusetts," AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said.

What tropical waves, disturbances are in Atlantic basin now? How likely are they to strengthen?

First tropical wave: A weak surface trough currently located several hundred miles off the coast of the southeastern United States is expected to form an area of low pressure in a day or so. Thereafter, environmental conditions appear favorable for gradual development of this system. A tropical depression could form by the latter portion of this week or weekend as as the low initially moves slowly westward, butturns more northward by this weekend.
- Formation chance through 48 hours: low, 10 percent.
- Formation chance through seven days: medium, 40 percent.
Second tropical wave: A tropical wave over the far eastern tropical Atlantic is currently producing disorganized shower and thunderstorm activity, primarily to the southwest of the wave axis. Environmental conditions are forecast to be conducive for gradual development during the next few days, and a tropical depression could form late this week or over the weekend as the system moves generally west-northwestward across the central tropical or subtropical Atlantic.
- Formation chance through 48 hours: low, near 0 percent.
- Formation chance through seven days: medium, 50 percent.

Is there a hurricane coming toward Florida?

A weak surface trough has a 40% chance of become a tropical depression by the latter portion of this week or weekend.

No. There is a weak disturbance off the coast of Florida and the southeastern U.S. that has a 40% chance for developing over the next seven days.

As of 8 a.m. Aug. 5, the National Hurricane Center said a tropical depression could form later this week or over the weekend.

Remember, conditions and forecasts can change rapidly.

"Heavy rain is expected across parts of the Southeast this week, regardless of official tropical development because of the old front," DaSilva said.

What do the colored, hatched areas on the NOAA map mean?

The hatched areas on the National Hurricane Center's tropical outlook map indicate "areas where a tropical cyclone — which could be a tropical depression, tropical storm or hurricane — could develop," said National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Jamie Rhome.

The colors make it visibly clear how likely a system could develop, with yellow being low, orange medium, and red high.

The National Hurricane Center generally doesn't issue tropical advisories until there is a named storm, but there is an exception.

"If a system is near land and there is potential for development, the National Hurricane Center won't wait before it issues advisories, even if the system hasn't become an actual storm. This gives residents time to prepare," Rhome said.

What should you do now to prepare for hurricane season?

Be prepared before there's a storm coming.

Officials regularly encourage Florida residents to prepare for storms before a hurricane is approaching while shelves are full stocked and you aren't battling crowds all rushing to the store at the same time.

"It only takes one storm to make it an impactful year for your community," the National Hurricane Center Miami posted on X. "Hurricane season is a marathon, not a sprint."

On Aug. 1, specific hurricane supplies became permanently tax free in Florida, ranging from batteries to generators.

➤ See list of emergency supplies you can now buy tax free

Florida weather radar for Aug. 5, 2025

Weather watches and warnings issued in Florida

When is the Atlantic hurricane season?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.

Ninety-seven percent of tropical cyclone activity occurs during this time period, NOAA said.

The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America, as the Gulf of Mexico is now known in the U.S. per an order from President Trump. NOAA and the National Hurricane Center are now using Gulf of America on its maps and in its advisories.