Lake Charles, La. – A tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic is showing stronger signs of organization, and forecasters say a depression could form late this week or weekend. The system, located several hundred miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, is moving slowly to the west-northwest at 5 to 10 mph.
According to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, environmental conditions remain favorable for development. The chance of formation is 40% within the next 48 hours and 80% over the next seven days. By the middle of next week, the disturbance could approach the waters east of the Lesser Antilles as it accelerates west or west-northwest.
While the storm has caught the attention of meteorologists, no impacts are expected at this time for Southeast Texas or Southwest Louisiana. Local emergency managers are monitoring, but residents along the Gulf Coast are not under any watches or warnings.
Forecasters stress that the red-hatched area on the outlook map marks the zone of possible development, not a projected track. More updates are expected from the Hurricane Center as the system evolves.
Five Day Forecast for Lake Charles, Louisiana:
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, high near 93, heat index 101.
- Friday: Hot and humid, isolated storms, high 94.
- Saturday: Partly cloudy, scattered afternoon showers, high 92.
- Sunday: Warm with spotty thunderstorms, high 91.
- Monday: Continued humid, chance of showers, high 90.
