A developing tropical disturbance in the Atlantic has shown potential to become a named storm later this week. As of Tuesday morning, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) identified two areas with potential for tropical development, one of which has a ‘high’ 70 percent chance of cyclone formation within the week.
The NHC indicated that environmental conditions should favor tropical development in the next few days. A tropical depression is expected to form midweek as the system travels westward across the central Atlantic. If the system evolves into a named storm, it would be the third of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, earning the name Cristobal.
AccuWeather meteorologist Nick Arman explained that, if the high-risk area develops, it will likely be a tropical depression or a low-end tropical storm. However, should the storm organize and avoid the surrounding dry air, the warmer Atlantic waters could increase its intensity, possibly raising it to hurricane status, although this is considered unlikely at present. Arman forecasted that formation could occur between August 12-15.
Potential U.S. Impacts
Arman noted several obstacles that the high-risk area must overcome before affecting the United States, either directly or indirectly. As the tropical wave approaches the northern Lesser Antilles this weekend, it may encounter increased wind shear, which could limit its strengthening or even dismantle it near the islands.
Arman suggested that if the wave strengthens, it might shift northward and away from the Lesser Antilles, possibly moving into the open Atlantic and missing the U.S. entirely. A weaker wave could drift closer to the Southeast coast but would need to withstand significant wind shear disruption.
The system is unlikely to approach the U.S. until the middle or later part of the next week, providing forecasters with sufficient monitoring time. Currently, the risk of U.S. impacts remains low.
Another Atlantic disturbance is being monitored, but its development risk is low as of Tuesday morning. Situated a few hundred miles northeast of Bermuda, a trough of low pressure might see minor development while moving eastward; however, cooler waters should halt its potential by Thursday.
2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season Storm Names
The storm names for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season are as follows:
- Arthur
- Bertha
- Cristobal
- Dolly
- Edouard
- Fay
- Gonzalo
- Hanna
- Isaias
- Josephine
- Kyle
- Leah
- Marco
- Nana
- Omar
- Paulette
- Rene
- Sally
- Teddy
- Vicky
- Wilfred
For more information, contact Newsweek editors Matthew Robinson and Shakeema Edwards.