Even though the calendar says it is mid-October, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring two separate disturbances across the Atlantic basin, including a feature that will enter the Caribbean Sea next week.

Of the two disturbances, forecasters are closely watching the feature in the central Atlantic due to its longer-term potential.

The tropical wave is located east of the Windward Islands and is moving westward at a pace of 15 to 20 mph.

By next week, development chances are expected to rise, and the basin could see its next named storm — Melissa — develop south of Puerto Rico.

The Caribbean Sea is often a late-season hotspot for development, as water temperatures are sufficiently warm to support a tropical cyclone and there are periods of favorable upper-level winds.

Major compu

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