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NHC tropical storm outlook
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The gist
National Hurricane Center tracked Invest 96L, now Tropical Storm Dolly formed Thursday with 40 mph winds.
Dolly is the fourth named storm of 2026, nearing Leeward Islands this weekend.
Background
The National Hurricane Center has been monitoring several Atlantic systems as the season approaches its peak around September 10. Invest 96L, a tropical wave off Africa, gradually organized and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Dolly on Thursday. Dolly is the fourth named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, following Arthur, Bertha, and Cristobal.
How it unfolded
- Aug 22, 2026NHC monitoring three Atlantic systems, including a tropical wave off Africa with growing development chances.
- Aug 24, 2026NHC tracking nine systems across Atlantic and Pacific; Invest 96L noted as potential tropical depression.
- Aug 25, 2026NHC gives Invest 96L a 70% chance of development in next two to seven days.
- Aug 26, 2026NHC drops development chances to 60% as system located southwest of Cape Verde Islands.
- Aug 27, 2026Tropical Storm Dolly forms with 40 mph winds, located 1,555 miles east of Leeward Islands, moving west at 24 mph.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- NHC says Dolly should be nearing the Leeward Islands this weekend, with no immediate threat to Florida.
- Expert
- NWS Tampa Bay meteorologist Rick Davis noted conditions may become less favorable for development as the system moves closer to the Caribbean.
Still unverified
No unverified information.