COLUMBIA, S.C. — Tropical Depression Seven formed in the Atlantic late Wednesday morning. The system is east of the Leeward Islands. It is expected to strengthen into the sixth named storm of the season as early as tonight.
T.D. Seven was located about 800 miles east of the Leeward Islands. The depression was moving about 14 mph towards the west. It had winds of 35 mph with some stronger gusts.
Some gradual strengthening is expected during the next day or so. The depression is forecast to become a tropical storm by tonight or Thursday.
The center of the system is forecast to move through the Leeward Islands on Friday and be near the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend.
There are no coastal watches or warnings in effect, but interests in the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico should monitor the progress of this depression.
Tropical storm watches may be issued for portions of the Leeward Islands later today.
The Atlantic has only produced five named storms at this point of hurricane season and two hurricanes. Tropical Storm Alex formed on June 5 and became a post-tropical cyclone June 6.
Tropical Storm Bonnie developed on July 1 and exited the Atlantic basin on July 2. Tropical Storm Colin was another short-lived storm that formed July 2 and was downgraded on July 3.
Hurricane Danielle became a named storm on September 1. It strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane on September 2. Danielle weakened to a tropical storm on September 8. It did not make a landfall.
Hurricane Earl is the strongest storm of the season so far. Earl became a named storm on September 3. Earl passed within 90 miles of Bermuda but did not make a landfall. It reached Category 2 status late on September 7.
The next name on the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season list is Fiona.