MIAMI — Tropical Storm Dolly, the fourth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, formed Thursday morning in the central Atlantic Ocean.
According to the National Hurricane Center, the storm is located about midway between Africa and the Windward Islands, and became better organized overnight.
WATCH BELOW: Dolly forms in the Atlantic with 40 mph winds
At 11 a.m., Dolly is located about 1,555 miles east of the Leeward Islands with 40 mph winds and moving west at 24 mph. It's expected to continue on this path for the next couple of days.
On the forecast track, this system should be nearing the Leeward Islands this weekend.
Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Dolly is forecast to degenerate into a tropical wave before it reaches the Leeward Islands.
In May, NOAA predicted a below-average hurricane season this year, aided by forecasts of a strong El Niño suppressing tropical activity in the Atlantic Basin.
Hurricane season peaks around Sept. 10.
This serves as a reminder that now is an excellent time to review your hurricane plan, check your emergency supplies, and make sure you have multiple ways to receive weather alerts.
The Tampa Bay 28 weather team will continue to monitor the tropics around the clock and provide updates if any system begins to show signs of becoming a concern for South Florida.
Hurricane season starts June 1 and runs to Nov. 30.
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