Atlantic System Near Cabo Verde Expected To Become Tropical Depression This Week

Authorities and meteorologists are closely monitoring a low-pressure system near the Cabo Verde Islands, designated Invest 97, which is likely to develop into a tropical depression or storm later this week. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) indicates a high chance of development, with probabilities ranging from 40-50% in the next two days to up to 90% within seven days. This system is moving west-northwest at 15 to 20 mph and is expected to bring heavy rainfall and gusty winds to the Cabo Verde Islands before potentially strengthening into the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season's fifth named storm, likely to be called Erin. Forecast models suggest the storm will track north of the Leeward Islands, with a potential turn away from the U.S. coast by next weekend, although some uncertainty remains. The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season has so far produced four tropical storms, with NOAA forecasting 13-18 named storms total, including five to nine hurricanes. Another system in the central Atlantic has a low chance of development and is not expected to pose a threat to land.