Increasing potential for tropical development in the east-central Atlantic

Get ready for another round of heavy rain and lightning! Scattered rain and storms will move in during the afternoon and evening timeframe.

Rain chances are expected to dip slightly by Saturday before more scattered activity arises through the Fourth of July and the following Monday.

In the tropics, the Weather Authority, along with the National Hurricane Center, is monitoring two tropical waves in the central Atlantic Ocean.

The first disturbance is expected to reach the Lesser Antilles by tomorrow night. Regardless of development, it’ll bring heavy rain to the islands. The NHC is only giving it a 20% chance of formation.

Elsewhere, a vigorous tropical wave southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands is showing signs of more organization. This one we’ll watch especially close as it moves westward over the next few days.

Once it moves into the warmer ocean waters of the eastern Caribbean and encounters less wind shear and drier air, the system will have a better chance of development. For now, the NHC is giving it a 60% chance of formation.

Neither tropical wave poses any immediate threat to Southwest Florida or the United States. The next storm name is Elsa.