Tropical Storm Dexter forms in the Atlantic. Is it expected to make landfall in US?
Hurricane forecasters are monitoring multiple systems in the Atlantic Ocean on Aug. 4, including one which developed into a tropical storm overnight and is expected to move away from the United States.
A low pressure system, dubbed as AL95, developed into Tropical Storm Dexter over the western Atlantic late on Aug. 3, the hurricane center said. Dexter is releasing maximum sustained winds near 45 mph and the tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 115 miles from its center.
The storm is forecast to move away from the U.S. coast and stay north of Bermuda. There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect and no hazards to land are expected.
The system formed along a frontal boundary about 150 miles off the coast of North Carolina on Aug. 2.
As of 5 a.m. ET on Aug. 4, the storm was located a few hundred miles northwest of Bermuda and appeared to be moving away from the U.S., according to the hurricane center. The storm is moving about 12 mph and is expected to pick up speed before it starts slowing down on Aug. 5 and 6.
"Some slight strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days," the hurricane center said. "Dexter is likely to become post-tropical by Wednesday."
The Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, had a quiet start in 2025 with June and July showing minimal activity. But forecasters with the National Hurricane Center say the tropics are heating up this week with three disturbances, including Tropical Storm Dexter and two other systems that have "some development potential" later in the week.
Forecasters were tracking two other storms on Aug. 3, including a tropical wave expected to move off the west coast of Africa on Aug. 4 and another disturbance off the coast of the southeastern United States. Both were moving west and did not pose a threat at the time.
The uptick in activity comes after Tropical Storm Gil briefly became a hurricane in the Pacific Ocean on Aug. 1, before weakening again into a tropical storm, according to the hurricane center.
More: August brings ominous hurricane season news. Is another Helene on the way?
Forecasters previously predicted 'above-normal' hurricane activity for 2025
In May, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasters predicted "above-normal" hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin for the 2025 season.
The agency forecasted between 13 and 19 named storms with winds 39 mph or higher. Of those storms, six to 10 are predicted to become hurricanes with winds 74 mph or higher, including the potential of three to five major hurricanes.
'As we witnessed last year with significant inland flooding from hurricanes Helene and Debby, the impacts of hurricanes can reach far beyond coastal communities," Laura Grimm, chief of staff for the NOAA, said in a statement.
Atlantic storm map
Contributing: Jennifer Sangalang, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
11 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
After deep DOGE cuts, National Weather Service gets OK to fill up to 450 jobs
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will hire as many as 450 people to shore up the National Weather Service after deep cuts in the spring raised concern about dangerous understaffing, the Trump administration confirmed Wednesday. NOAA was granted permission to fill crucial positions at its weather arm, including openings for meteorologists, hydrologists and electronics technicians, Trump administration officials said. The hirings are part of an exemption to a freeze on federal hiring that is in place through at least Oct. 15. NOAA declined to comment further. The planned hiring was first reported by CNN. President Trump's Department of Government Efficiency has gutted NOAA and the National Weather Service, which are key for the nation's daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, climate monitoring and more. Hundreds of NOAA forecasters and other employees have been laid off, and weather service offices around the country have had a number of vacancies. The administration has also weighed ending the sharing of satellite data that are key to effective storm tracking and stopped tracking the cost of climate change-fueled weather disasters. Meteorologists and climate scientists have warned of consequences with fewer workers in positions that are crucial, especially as the hurricane season got underway. After deadly flash flooding that killed dozens of people in Texas last month, some local officials and Democrats suggested that the deep staffing cuts may have contributed to endangering lives, though others defended the agency's work. Experts cautiously applauded the hiring exemption as positive news. 'While this new development is great news for the NWS and the American public, I would like to see that the hiring actions are actually underway,' said Louis Uccellini, former NOAA administrator for weather services and weather service director. The hirings are said to include the 'mission-critical field positions' that the agency announced it would hire for in June 'to further stabilize front line operations.' The agency did not say at the time how many roles would be filled. St. John writes for the Associated Press.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Goodbye fall, back to summertime
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Fall-like feels are gone! Today's temperatures are 4 to 9 degrees warmer than yesterday morning, and the humidity is back to summertime levels. High temperatures will remain below average in the mid-80s, but it will feel like the low 90s due to the higher humidity. Scattered light showers will be periodic throughout the day. There were no storms yesterday, but with the higher humidity, an isolated thunderstorm is possible. Temperatures will remain slightly below average for most of the workweek. Nighttime temperatures are closer to normal in the low and mid-70s overnight, but the afternoon temperatures will be slightly below average in the mid-80s. No day this week will be perfectly dry; rain is expected to be scattered today through Thursday, and it will be rainier on Friday as an area of low pressure moves north, close to our area. We will monitor that area of low pressure, expected to form off a stalled front, for a 30% chance of tropical development. Tropical update Out in the tropics, Tropical Storm Dexter formed off the stalled front on Sunday. Dexter has winds of 40 mph and is expected to remain a weaker storm as it heads northeast into the North Atlantic and away from the continental U.S. There are two other areas of interest. A tropical wave off of Africa will be traveling across the Atlantic for the next seven-plus days. This is not something that requires our immediate attention, but just know it is out there. It is likely to be a named storm eventually, but organization will be slow and is not likely to occur this week. The next name on the list is Erin. The seven-day likelihood of development is 40%. A closer area of interest has a 50% chance of developing (the one expected to bring more rain on Friday). It is to our east-southeast and is expected to move northwest into central, coastal North Carolina on Friday. Regardless of whether it is 'tropical' or just an area of low pressure, it will bring rain to our area, primarily on Friday. The seven-day rainfall totals will be 2 to 4 inches. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Tropical area of interest off Southeast coast has 40% chance of development; will bring rain to Grand Strand
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — A tropical area of interest several hundred miles off the coast of the Southeast has a 40% chance of development and is expected to bring rain to the Grand Strand on Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center. 'A weak surface trough currently located several hundred miles off the coast of the southeastern United States is expected to form an area of low pressure in a day or so,' the NHC's 8 a.m. Tuesday update reads. 'Thereafter, environmental conditions appear favorable for gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression could form by the latter portion of this week or weekend as the low initially moves slowly westward, but turns more northward by this weekend.' The area is to our east-southeast and is expected to move northwest into central, coastal North Carolina on Friday, News13 meteorologist Hannah Rahner said. Regardless of whether it develops into a tropical system or is just an area of low pressure, it is expected to bring rain to the Grand Strand, primarily on Friday. Rahner said Tuesday morning the seven-day rainfall totals will be 2-4 inches. Count on News13 for updates. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
