A tropical system moving across the eastern Atlanticis being watched for possible development, but it is far too early to know whether it will become a threat to Georgia.
The disturbance, identified by the National Hurricane Center as Invest AL96, is located a few hundred miles south-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, off the west coast of Africa.
It is producing showers and thunderstorms as it moves west to west-northwest across the Atlantic.
If it develops into a hurricane, it would be known as Dolly.
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What are the chances it becomes tropical Storm Dolly?
Right now, Dolly is not a storm.
TheNational Hurricane Centersaid that conditions were favorable enough for the system to gradually develop, with a 60% chance of becoming a tropical depression within 48 hours.
That same 60% chance extended through seven days in the NHC's outlook.
If the system strengthens enough to reach tropical-storm status, it would be given the next name on the 2026 Atlantic list: Dolly.
A tropical storm must have maximum sustained winds of at least 39 mph to receive a name. There is currently no Hurricane Dolly.
What does this mean for Georgia?
For now, there is no forecast showing a threat to Georgia from this system.
The disturbance is still thousands of miles from the southeastern United States and is only beginning its trek across the Atlantic. Forecasters are focused first on whether it can organize into a tropical depression and then potentially a tropical storm.
The bigger question will be what happens after it crosses the eastern and central Atlantic.
The Weather Channelreports the system could encounter dry air and stronger wind shear as it moves toward the Lesser Antilles. Those conditions can make it harder for tropical systems to strengthen and could cause the disturbance to weaken.
Some forecast models suggest the system could have another opportunity to develop later, potentially closer to the Bahamas or Bermuda, but it is too early to know whether that scenario will happen or what track the system would take.
For more information, visit weather.com/2026/08/26/storms/hurricane/atlantic-tropical-development-possible-dolly.
Meteorologist ask for name change after Dolly Parton death
Some meteorologists have called for the name to be retired, while others have pointed out the irony of the timing. One weather personality described a hypothetical "Dolly Storm" as "glamorous, powerful, colorful, generous and unmistakably Southern," while stressing that the name has nothing to do with Parton.
Another meteorologist noted that Dolly is simply next on the predetermined Atlantic hurricane list and praised Parton’s legacy.
The World Meteorological Organization selects hurricane names years in advance, with Atlantic lists reused on a six-year cycle.
So if the next Atlantic system reaches tropical-storm strength, Dolly will be its assigned name, regardless of the timing surrounding Parton's death, according to USA TODAY.
Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia, covering food and entertainment. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Is Hurricane Dolly forming? Storm churning in Atlantic could be next name
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