4:46 PM
The tropics continue to remain quiet for the time being, however, the likelihood of significant tropical development next week is pretty high. For the past few days now, the GFS model continues to forecast that a tropical cyclone might develop off the coast Africa and the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) some time next week. Unlike the other tropical waves we have seen this month, the tropical wave that might develop will be located at higher latitudes. Thus, the Coriolis effect will have a greater impact and allow it to rotate. Nevertheless, wind shear is very high among the majority of the tropical Atlantic, so, if this tropical cyclone does form it should not last long. Regardless, if this system becomes a tropical cyclone or not, the tropics will have to be monitored more closely as the hurricane season progresses.