A broad low pressure center in the southern areas of the tropical Atlantic is producing some squally weather. Right now there is a less than 30% chance of this low developing into the first tropical storm of the season. This low formed along a band of Saharan dust that stretches all the way towards South America. The dust acts like a nucleus for water vapor to condense and eventually given the right upper level atmospheric conditions form into a hurricane or tropical storm.
Computer models carry the low Northwest around the large scale high pressure ridge in the central Atlantic over the next five days. Three of models have winds near tropical storm force within the next 24hrs. That means the first tropical storm --- Alex --- could be in the South central Atlantic by Sunday evening. This is a good time to check your hurricane plan and supplies for this years hurricane season.
