Invest 94L has 50% chance of becoming tropical depression, no immediate threat to Florida: NHC

ORLANDO, Fl - A disturbance in the far east Atlantic Ocean, known as Invest 94L, is being monitored by the National Hurricane Center and now has a 50% chance of further development, potentially becoming a tropical depression later this week. There is no immediate threat to Florida, forecasters say.

As of 8 a.m., the low pressure system was located several hundred miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands and is producing some disorganized showers and thunderstorms.

Development is unlikely over the next several days as the system is located within a dry environment, the NHC said. However, as it moves closer to the central Atlantic and Caribbean where the water is warm, conditions could allow for further tropical development, the NHC said. 

A tropical depression could form as the system inches close to the Leeward Islands. 

It currently has a 10% chance of development over the next 48 hours and a 50% chance of development over the next seven days.

What will keep this sytem potential away from Florida?

During the fall, the jet stream becomes more active in the southern U.S., which also pushes cold fronts towards Florida. This helps to push tropical systems away from Florida.

It also creates damaging wind shear, which rips tropical systems apart (wind shear and warm ocean temperatures are two big factors in whether a tropical system can further develop).

What is an Invest?

Invest means "investigation" or "area of interest." When the National Hurricane Center is interested in a weather system in the tropics, designating it as an "invest" allows them to collect additional information and run models of where it may potentially travel. 

Deeming a system or area of interest as an "Invest," does not reflect whether that system will ultimately become a tropical storm or hurricane.

How long is the Atlantic hurricane season? When does hurricane season end?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Though, storms have emerged before and after those dates.