The AL95 disturbance would become a tropical depression in the coming days

The tropical wave identified as a suspected cyclonic area AL95 is scheduled to become Tropical depression during the next few daysas it moves toward the center of the tropical Atlantic, reported the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

In said region, this disturbance will find favorable conditions for gradual development. The system is currently south of the Cape Verde Islands.

The acronym AL95 implies that this low pressure shows signs of possible organization, while there are models that project its cyclonic formation. The letters AL refer to the Atlantic basin, while the number 95 is part of a range of numbers from 90 to 99 that repeat cyclically. For example, the AL91 has already been used twice this year.

The use of these acronyms allows the generation of satellite images and analysis for any tropical disturbance that has or could encounter the conditions to achieve cyclone characteristics. Its use is part of the new changes that were implemented this year.

A “cyclone” is called any atmospheric system with low pressure developing over tropical waters (between latitude 25 degrees North and 25 degrees South).according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Cyclones are even described as atmospheric systems that obtain their energy, mostly, vertically depending on how hot the ocean surface is. In addition, they are symmetrical and their core or center is warm.

In his outlook for tropical conditions at 2:00 am, The NHC maintained the probability of development at 20% in the next 48 hours (two days), and its potential at 70% in the next seven days..

“Environmental conditions appear conducive to some gradual development of this system during the middle of next week, and a tropical depression is likely to form while moving west and west-northwest at 15 to 20 miles per hour over the eastern and central portions of the tropical Atlantic,” the NHC noted in its report.

The main global and regional models have remained consistent in projecting cyclogenesis (formation of a tropical system with cyclone characteristics) of this system in the middle of next week. However, there is no consensus on the intensity or trajectory in relation to this disturbance, so the margin of error remains wide.

For example, some models project a tropical depression within 96 hours (four days) while others suggest a tropical storm for the same period.

Even the American model, in its 7:00 am run this Saturday, did not project any system with closed circulation within the next five days, while the European model (ECMWF), in its latest, more complete projection, suggested , at least one tropical depression for that same period. This uncertainty will remain high as long as the tropical wave remains a disorganized system.

For now, projections with a relative trend regarding its movement suggest that the system will move west and west-northwest passing near the northeastern Caribbean for next weekend. But these projections will change because it is a long-term model, without a cyclone currently formed.

Furthermore, the models – which are computerized systems – tend to give more weight to the statistics from previous years that they use to make their projections, so in the context of the proximity of the peak day of the hurricane season – which is the 10th September – some models may be more aggressive with their projections than others.