Tropical Depression Seven Forms in the Eastern Atlantic; Forecast to Strengthen into Hurricane Gaston

August 22,2016
Tropical Depression Seven has formed in the far eastern Atlantic Ocean and is expected to strengthen into Tropical Storm Gaston by Tuesday. This system is likely to reach hurricane strength by midweek.
This new depression is a part of a trio of systems we are tracking in the Atlantic, including Fiona and Invest 99-L.
(LATEST: Fiona | Invest 99-L)

Latest Status and Forecast

The tropical depression was centered just over 350 miles west-southwest of the southernmost Cabo Verde Islands, as of Monday afternoon, and was moving to the west.

Current Storm Status

In general, the atmospheric steering pattern in the Atlantic Ocean through late this week suggests future Gaston will eventually get drawn northwest into the central Atlantic Ocean, roughly analogous to Fiona, likely becoming a hurricane.
Tropical forecasts beyond five days are fraught with uncertainty. We can't yet write off any eventual impact to Bermuda down the road, but as of now, no impact to land is expected for the foreseeable future.

Projected Path

We're now headed into, climatologically, the most active time of the Atlantic hurricane season.
(MORE: When Atlantic Season Peak Arrives)

Typical tropical storm and hurricane origin areas and tracks in August. This is **not** a forecast for this current system, merely a representation of August climatology.

This time of year, tropical waves, also known as African easterly waves, line up over Africa south of the Sahara Desert and emerge into the eastern Atlantic Ocean.
A fraction of these tropical waves serve as the seed for an Atlantic Basin tropical storm or hurricane each season.
Regardless of whether either system becomes a threat, now is a good time to make sure you have a plan before a hurricane hits.

(MORE: Hurricane Central)

Check back with us at weather.com for updates on this system.
MORE: Images of Hurricane Eyes