Invest 92L designated in Atlantic as odds grow that Tropical Storm Gabrielle forms later this week

MIAMI – The odds of development for a tropical wave swirling in the Atlantic continue to grow, and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has designated the organizing system as Invest 92L.

The term "invest" is simply a naming convention used by the NHC to identify areas it is investigating for possible development into a tropical depression or tropical storm within the next seven days.

The NHC is giving the system a high chance of developing into at least a tropical depression – or even Tropical Storm Gabrielle – by later this week.

And some computer forecast models show the system strengthening into a hurricane.

WHAT IS AN INVEST DURING HURRICANE SEASON?

Currently, the entire system is poorly organized and is moving through an area with dry, dusty Saharan air.

Due to that, the system likely won’t develop into a tropical depression for at least a few more days.

Later this week, the system will move into a more favorable environment, where it will likely develop into a tropical depression or Tropical Storm Gabrielle.

And some computer forecast models show the system strengthening into a hurricane.

Some models show the system curving to the north and into the open central Atlantic, keeping it away from land.

Other models show it taking a path closer to the Caribbean and eventually toward Bermuda.

Currently, there’s no direct threat to Puerto Rico or nearby islands. However, since the system hasn’t fully formed yet, those forecasts can still change.

Beyond that, the FOX Forecast Center said there are hints of a jet stream that could act as a protective shield for the U.S. East Coast by steering the system safely northward, but forecast confidence is low at this point.