Atlantic Hurricane Outlook – August 4, 2025: Tropical Storm Dexter Forms; Two Other Systems Under Watch

Tropical Storm Dexter forms off the East Coast with no land threat. Meanwhile, a tropical wave off Africa and a low near the Southeast U.S. are being monitored as conditions slowly shift toward a more active period.

*Those who like data, continue reading. Those it prefer the quick version, jump to the TL;DR here.

Tropical Storm Dexter has developed in the western Atlantic, while two additional systems are being monitored for potential development. Conditions across the basin remain dynamic—with storm formation possible in coming days.

Atlantic Basin Summary

  • Tropical Storm Dexter: The fourth named storm of the 2025 season formed late Sunday night, now located ~255 miles northwest of Bermuda. Maximum sustained winds are 45 mph, and the system is moving east-northeast. It’s expected to remain over open water and become post-tropical by Wednesday with no threat to U.S. land.

  • Disturbance AL95: A non-tropical low pressure area off the Southeast U.S. coast is being monitored with medium (30%) development chance over 7 days. Movement is east-northeast under weak shear, and formation may remain offshore.

  • New tropical wave emerging off Africa (~30°W): Forecast to track westward with scattered convection. The formation chance is 50% over 7 days, indicating growing potential for a tropical depression if favorable conditions develop.

Environmental Conditions

  • Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs):
    Waters in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and MDR remain warm at 29–31°C (84–88°F)—providing ample energy if atmospheric conditions become supportive.

  • Wind Shear:
    Still moderate to high across much of the Atlantic, limiting vertical storm structure. However, shear may relax in the western basin later this month.

  • Saharan Air Layer (SAL):
    Persistent dry, dusty air continues to suppress convection, especially over the eastern and central Atlantic. This remains a major inhibiting factor for newly emerging systems.

  • Moisture:
    Improving moisture levels seen in the western Caribbean and Gulf, though much of the basin remains too dry for sustained disturbance development.

SST data courtesy of Windy.com

Wind data at 850hPa from Windy.com

Dust & SAL data from Windy.com

Relative Humidity (700 hPa) via Windy.com

Gulf of America (Mexico) & Caribbean Region

  • No tropical systems currently forming.

  • A dominant high-pressure ridge promotes generally calm, hot conditions across the Gulf and Caribbean.

  • Scattered showers remain typical for August, with no organized convection tied to tropical disturbances.

GOES-19 - Sector view: Gulf

GOES-19 - Sector view: Caribbean

Florida Forecast

  • Highs: Upper 80s to near 90°F under humid conditions.

  • Afternoon thunderstorms: 40–50% chance, typically from sea breeze convergence—non-tropical in origin.

  • Winds: Light and variable inland; southeasterly near the coast.

  • No tropical storm impacts are expected today.

Rain forecast visualization courtesy of Windy.com

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Stay connected to emerging tropical watches and alerts: sign up for NOAA and county-level emergency notifications, test weather radios, and review your communication plans with family or household members.

Looking Ahead

Though Dexter poses no immediate risk to land, the emerging wave and mid-Atlantic trough (AL95) warrant attention. The signal is clear: early August may mark the beginning of a more active period in the tropical Atlantic.

TL;DR – August 4, 2025 Summary

  • Tropical Storm Dexter forms off the East Coast—staying far offshore and weakest by midweek.

  • Low pressure (AL95) offshore Southeast U.S. with 30% development chance.

  • New wave off Africa (~30°W) entering the Atlantic—50% chance of development in 7 days.

  • SSTs supportive but SAL and shear remain inhibitory.

  • No threat to Florida; typical summer thunderstorms expected.

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Atlantic Hurricane Outlook – August 3, 2025: Two Areas Now Under Watch

The Atlantic remains calm with no named storms, but two areas—one off the U.S. coast and another off Africa—are now under watch for potential tropical development. Here's today's scientific hurricane outlook.

*Those who like data, continue reading. Those it prefer the quick version, jump to the TL;DR here.

As early August continues, the Atlantic remains without any active tropical cyclones. However, two areas have emerged as brown disturbance watches, as forecasters monitor subtle signs that could impact the Atlantic if conditions shift.

Atlantic Basin Highlights

  • No active tropical storms in the basin.

  • Two areas are now under National Hurricane Center scrutiny:

    Invest Area AL95: Expected to be a fish storm, it’s a non-tropical low just off the North Carolina coast—producing disorganized thunderstorms. (The orange X on the chart)
    Chance of development: Medium (30%) over the next 2–7 days.
    Movement: Toward the east-northeast at ~10 mph, expected to stay offshore.

    Emerging tropical wave off Africa: Near 30°W, forecast to move westward with scattered convection.
    Chance of development: Low (30%) within 7 days.

GOES-19 - Sector view: North Atlantic - Sandwich - August 3, 2025

GOES-19 - Sector view: Tropical Atlantic - Sandwich - August 3, 2025

Key Environmental Conditions

  • Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs):
    The Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea remain very warm, with temperatures ranging from 29–31°C (84–88°F). The Main Development Region (MDR) is also running slightly above average. These warm waters provide abundant fuel for tropical development — if other atmospheric factors allow.

  • Wind Shear:
    Moderate to high vertical wind shear persists across the central Atlantic, particularly along the latitude band where Disturbance 2 is located. This disrupts the vertical alignment of developing systems and limits the ability of convection to consolidate around a center.

  • Moisture:
    Mid-level moisture is gradually increasing across the western tropical Atlantic and Caribbean. However, the central Atlantic remains drier overall, especially in areas affected by Saharan dust, limiting deep convection and thunderstorm persistence.

  • Saharan Air Layer (SAL):
    A robust SAL is sweeping across the central and eastern Atlantic, characterized by dry, dusty air and suppressed vertical motion. The SAL also contributes to a stable atmosphere, effectively capping thunderstorm development and working against tropical wave organization.

SST data courtesy of Windy.com

Wind data at 850 hPa courtesy of Windy.com

Relative Humidity (700 hPa) data courtesy of Windy.com

Dust & SAL data from Windy.com

Implication for Disturbance 2:

While ocean temperatures are favorable, the combined influence of high wind shear, limited moisture, and widespread SAL intrusion is expected to stall or inhibit further development of Disturbance 2 as it continues westward across the tropical Atlantic. Until it reaches a more favorable environment, organization remains unlikely.

Gulf of America (Mexico) & Caribbean Region

  • No disturbances active in the Gulf, and high-pressure conditions support light winds and minimal rain outside normal sea‑breeze showers.

  • Eastern Caribbean: A wave near 68°W is producing localized storms over Hispaniola and Venezuela but remains disorganized.

GOES-19 - Sector view: Gulf of America - Sandwich - August 3, 2025

GOES-19 - Sector view: Caribbean - Sandwich - August 3, 2025

Florida Weather Outlook

  • Highs: Near 90 °F under sticky, humid conditions.

  • Conditions: Scattered afternoon thunderstorms from sea breeze interactions.

  • No tropical impacts expected today.

Rain forecast visualization courtesy of Windy.com

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Test your alert systems today:

  • Confirm subscription to NOAA alerts and local county emergency systems.

  • Test NOAA weather radios and storm tracker apps.

  • Make sure household members know hurricane communication plans and locations of essential documents.

Outlooking Ahead

Invest Area AL95, while moving away from land, bears watching if it gains tropical characteristics. Meanwhile, the wave off Africa will pass into warmer waters—another early‑August indicator. Meteorological models forecast these systems might strengthen if wind shear declines and dust regresses later this month.

TL;DR – August 3 Hurricane Summary

  • No storms currently in the Atlantic basin.

  • AL95 (off North Carolina): 30% chance of development over the next week. (Fish Storm)

  • African wave near 30°W: 20% chance of development within 7 days.

  • Factors are currently favoring disorganization.

  • SSTs are warm and moisture is increasing—conditions may improve in early August.

  • Immediate risk remains low; now is a good window for storm preparedness.

Stay alert and ready with daily forecasts at Cat5Prep.com.

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