Tracking the Tropics: Tropical wave forms north of South America

Saharan dust may reach Florida this weekend

FOX 13 Meteorologist Valerie Mills is tracking the first round of Saharan dust making its way off the coast of Africa. She says as the dust moves west toward Florida, it will squash any tropical waves that try to develop. That’s because the Saharan dust is 50 percent drier than a typical moist air mass that meteorologists would typically see this time of year. She says some of the Saharan air will make its way to the coast of Florida this weekend, which may reduce the air quality. Mills noted that there is one wave on the edge of the Saharan air that has a low chance of development at the moment. However, it may develop more tropical characteristics as it moves west toward Mexico.

TAMPA, Fla. - A tropical wave has been detected just east of Trinidad and Tobago and the Windward Islands early Tuesday morning.

The National Hurricane Center began tracking a westward-moving tropical wave producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms.

FOX 13 Meteorologist Dave Osterberg said it has the potential to roll through the Caribbean and end up somewhere near the Yucatan Peninsula sometime in the next seven days.

Tropical wave detected near South America

NHC says the wave has a near 0 percent chance of formation through the next 48 hours and a 20 percent chance of formation through the next seven days.