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Tropical Depression 5 forms in the Atlantic, expected to become a hurricane next week

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — UPDATE: Invest 99-L has formed into Tropical Depression 5 in the Atlantic Ocean. It is forecasted to move into the Caribbean next week and become a hurricane.  The First Alert Weather team is tracking three areas of low pressure.

Original Story:

As of Aug. 20, we have entered the height of the hurricane season and things are ramping up in the tropics. We have two areas of interest that the National Hurricane Center has highlighted over the past couple of days: Invest 98-L and Invest 99-L.

Invest 98-L is currently inland over South Florida. Gradual development is likely once the low moves back over water in the Atlantic on Sunday.

MORE: Buresh Blog, Talking the Tropics with Mike, Download the free First Alert Weather app

A tropical or sub-tropical depression is likely to form this weekend as this system parallels the Atlantic coast. This system poses no direct threat to our area.  Main impacts will be elevated seas and moderate rip currents. It will move away from the local area to start next week.

Chantal has weakened to a remnant low. The last advisory was issued at 11 p.m. Friday.

The First Alert Weather team is also keeping an eye on Invest 99-L. It is located just east of the Windward Islands. Further development is possible over the next few days as it tracks west-northwest.  It will be near the Lesser Antilles by the middle of next week.