The first tropical wave of the 2025 hurricane season is already on the move in the tropical Atlantic, according to a report from the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC).
This phenomenon, which emerged on Sunday, May 18 off the western coast of Africa, marks an early start to activity in the region, even though the official season begins on June 1.
While this wave is not expected to develop into a cyclone, its path toward the eastern Caribbean could bring rain to some islands in the coming days.
Expert Opinions on the Start of Hurricane Season
According to meteorologist Brooke Silverang, this tropical wave—a mass of unstable, elongated air—is moving westward without showing signs of short-term cyclonic development.
Meanwhile, tropical systems specialist Danielle, known for her YouTube channel Weather Gurl Dani’i, noted that while the system lacks organized convection, its path will need to be monitored, as it could reach the eastern Caribbean within five to seven days.
What Are Tropical Waves and How Do They Form?
Tropical waves, like this one, are weather phenomena that regularly form off the coasts of Africa and are a key component of the Atlantic climate.
Experts say that between 60 and 65 tropical waves form annually, though only a small fraction develop into tropical storms or hurricanes.
These waves are a significant source of rainfall for the Caribbean, Central America, and, to some extent, North America. However, the first waves of the year tend to be weak and disorganized. In rare cases, some may intensify early in the season, as happened with Hurricane Beryl in 2024.
Weather Gurl Dani’i explained that as this tropical wave advances, the Bermuda-Azores High, a subtropical high-pressure system, will steer it across the tropical Atlantic toward the Lesser Antilles.
Rain and Storms Expected in the Caribbean and Central America
In the eastern Caribbean, current weather conditions already show rainy activity linked to a previous trough. The Windward and Leeward Islands could experience isolated showers, while Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and parts of Hispaniola may face scattered showers and occasional thunderstorms.
In Jamaica, heavy rain episodes are expected, and southern Haiti, eastern Jamaica, and coastal areas of the Pacific in Central America, such as El Salvador and Guatemala, will also see intermittent rainfall. Additionally, northern South America, including Guyana, shows significant moisture buildup.
In contrast, regions like Cuba, the Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands remain drier, with a low chance of rain in the short term. This weather pattern reflects the complexity of tropical systems and their varying impacts across the Atlantic Ocean.
The appearance of this first tropical wave before the official start of hurricane season raises questions about the activity that could unfold in the coming months. While it poses no immediate threat, its early formation may signal an active cycle in the Atlantic, underscoring the need for constant monitoring in the region.
Image: Infobae
