Hurricane Humberto Strengthens; Invest 94L Likely Forms

Hurricane Humberto has strengthened to about 75 mph and is forecast by the NHC to intensify into a major hurricane this weekend while moving slowly northwest roughly 465–550 miles northeast of the northern Leeward Islands. Forecast guidance shows Humberto tracking northwest then curving northeast, likely passing between Bermuda and the U.S. East Coast well offshore but generating dangerous swells, rip currents and hazardous surf along the Southeast coast. A nearby tropical wave (Invest 94L) between Hispaniola and the southeastern Bahamas is showing increasing organization; the NHC places its formation chances at about 80% in 48 hours and 90% in seven days, with a surface low expected to form near the southeast/central Bahamas. Model guidance diverges on 94L’s long-range path—some runs steer it northwest toward the Carolina coast as a strengthening tropical cyclone—raising the possibility of wind, heavy rain and storm-surge impacts for parts of the U.S. Southeast next week. Humberto’s intensity and position could influence or interact with 94L, complicating timing, track and intensity forecasts, so interests in the Bahamas, Bermuda and the U.S. Southeast should monitor NHC updates and prepare for hazardous surf and potential impacts; there are currently no coastal watches or warnings for Humberto.