Tropical Waves Brewing in Atlantic, Pacific Raise Concerns

On October 17, 2025, the National Hurricane Center is closely monitoring two tropical waves in the Atlantic Ocean, though both currently have low chances of developing into named storms.

The first system is a tropical wave located over the central tropical Atlantic, associated with a large area of showers and thunderstorms. Forecasters say some gradual development of this system is possible over the next several days as it moves westward, potentially bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds to the Windward Islands late this weekend and entering the Caribbean Sea by early to mid next week. However, the hurricane center gives this wave only a 30% chance of formation through the next seven days.

The second system is a non-tropical area of low pressure developing several hundred miles south of Nova Scotia, Canada. This system is expected to move southeastward and then northeastward by this weekend, with some potential for subtropical or tropical development as it traverses the Gulf Stream northeast of Bermuda. But by early next week, the system is predicted to move into colder waters, ending its chances for further development. The hurricane center gives this system a 10% chance of development through the next seven days.

Meanwhile, in the Pacific, the hurricane center is also tracking a broad area of low pressure offshore of southern Mexico that is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Forecasters say environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development, and a tropical depression could form in the next couple of days as the system moves slowly west-northwestward or northwestward near the coast of southern and southwestern Mexico. The hurricane center gives this system a 50% chance of formation through the next 48 hours.