What used to be known as Invest 97L has now developed into Tropical Depression Fifteen.
The tropical disturbance has been swirling off the coast of Africa for several days. Now, it has become the latest tropical depression of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season.
A tropical depression is a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained winds below 39 mph. Once a tropical depression forms, the National Hurricane Center gives it a number based on its order of formation in the hurricane season (Tropical Depression One, Two, Three, etc.).
The FOX Forecast Center says Fifteen still has a high chance of strengthening further to become Tropical Storm Nigel, the 14th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.
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The Atlantic just passed the statistical peak of hurricane season on Sept. 10. This is when sea surface temperatures are at their highest, and wind shear or strong, hostile winds are at their lowest.
Tropical Depression 15 is several hundred miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. It is moving to the west-northwest at 10-15 mph.
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Tropical Depression Fifteen will continue its westward movement in the open Atlantic.
The NHC feels that further strengthening is in Tropical Depression Fifteen’s future. The FOX Model indicates that we will likely see a named storm come Sunday.
“Environmental conditions appear favorable for strengthening, and there is increasing confidence the storm will become a hurricane next week well north of the Caribbean Islands,” said the FOX Forecast Center.
This is a developing story, so check back for updates.