Late on Friday, a tropical wave rippled off the West African coast. By earlySunday morning, this wave showed a well-marked, low-level "swirl" on cloudimages, thereby suggesting that this wave would be one to watch.The atmospheric setting westward over the open Atlantic Ocean will be somewhatfavorable for further development of this vigorous tropical wave. Tropicaldepression status could be reached early in the week, for instance.
Nonetheless, there will be factors tending to restrict development of thepresent tropical wave. Widespread Saharan dust spread far westward north of thewave could get drawn into its circulation. This would be a negative factor.
Moreover, wind shear will be present at least part of the time. Sea surfacetemperatures will be marginal for development at mostly 26 to 27 degrees.
Whether the wave develops or not, it will have no direct weather impact uponthe eastern United States before at least the latter half of next week, if atall.
Story by AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Jim Andrews
