The Atlantic basin remained quiet Aug. 7, just days after both NOAAand Colorado State University forecasters updated their predictions for the remainder of the hurricane season.
Both forecasters continue to predict a below-normal number of named storms, although experts continue to warn residents should remain prepared.
Colorado State University is predicting nine named storms for the season — which includes the two that have already come and gone: Arthur and Bertha.
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NOAA is predicting seven to 13 storms for the season.
➤ Updated hurricane forecast calls for seven more named storms
The chances for tropical development in the Atlantic basin are expected to remain low for the next couple of weeks, according to the National
Weather Service Climate Prediction Center.
Tropical activity in the Atlantic basin historically picks up in August, with the busiest period of the season running from mid-August through mid-October and the peak coming Sept. 10.
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The National Hurricane Center is tracking three tropical wave Aug. 7, including one east of the Lesser Antilles.
Here's the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center as of 8 a.m., Aug. 7.
Is there a hurricane coming to Florida?
No. There are no disturbances in the Atlantic basin as of 8 a.m. Aug. 7.
"The Atlantic basin continues to be unusually quiet for early August, and at this time there are no tropical cyclones expected to develop over the next week," said Carl Erickson, AccuWeather senior meteorologist via email Aug. 4.
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"The current lack of activity is largely due to a combination of persistent Saharan dust, dry air, and stronger-than-normal wind shear across much of the tropical Atlantic. Those factors have made it difficult for tropical waves to organize into named systems."
The Climate Prediction Center mentioned ensembles are showing more tropical waves coming off Africa, which is typical for this time of year. There's a 20% chance for development of any of those waves due to a "very strong El Niño, dry air and wind shear," all of which help suppress storms from developing or strengthening.
Tropical wave off Africa has low chance for development
"We have added a low risk for tropical development for Aug. 11-13," said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert.
"A tropical wave that moved westward off the coast of Africa will be far enough south to avoid the bulk of the dry air and highest wind shear, which will give it a chance at developing.
"At this time, we do not anticipate any direct impacts to land. We will have to monitor the Lesser Antilles if this area does manage to develop."
The third named storm in the Atlantic typically forms around Aug. 3, according to NOAA.
The next named storm in the Atlantic basin will be Cristobal.
Could August 2026 bring no tropical storms or hurricane?
There have been a few years when there have been no tropical cyclones in the Atlantic basin in August, even though the month marks the beginning of the busiest period of the Atlantic hurricane season.
"We may see a couple of storms in the Atlantic in August, but seeing none is also not out of the realm of possibility due to increased amounts of wind shear and dry air," said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert.
"If August were to end without a named storm, it would be only the fourth time since 1961," Erickson said.
The last time there were no August tropical storms was in 2022.
"That said, it's important to emphasize that a quiet August does not necessarily translate into a quiet hurricane season.
"Historically, we've seen seasons where activity was delayed before increasing substantially later in August and especially during September, which is the climatological peak of the Atlantic hurricane season."
National Hurricane Center tracking 3 tropical waves
There are no disturbances listed by the National Hurricane Center on its tropical outlook map as of 8 a.m. Aug. 7, and no tropical cyclone activity is expected over the next seven days.
There are three tropical waves out there:
- A tropical wave is E of the Cape Verde Islands with axis near 22W, extending from 05N to 19N, and moving west at 6 to 11 mph.
- A tropical wave is in the central Atlantic with axis near 41W, extending from 05N to 19N, and moving west at 17 to 23 mph.
- A tropical wave is E of the Lesser Antilles with axis near 53W, extending from 05N to 20N, and moving west at 17 to 23 mph.
What is a tropical wave?
"Tropical waves are clusters of showers and thunderstorms that act as the seedlings for many tropical storms throughout the Atlantic season," said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert, via email.
“There are about 60 tropical waves that move across the Atlantic each year, and roughly 10 percent to 15 percent of them develop into a tropical system. That’s about one in seven.
"Tropical waves are important because they contribute to about 80 percent of all major hurricanes."
NHC tracking 3 disturbances in Pacific
Florida weather radar for Aug. 7, 2026
Weather watches and warnings issued in Florida
How much rain is expected in Florida? See NOAA 7-day forecast
When is hurricane season in Florida?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
Ninety-seven percent of tropical cyclone activity occurs during this time period, NOAA said.
➤ Hurricane Center testing new cone: What's changing this season?
The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America, as the Gulf of Mexico is now known in the U.S. per an order from President Trump. NOAA and the National Hurricane Center are now using Gulf of America on its maps and in its advisories.
Countdown clock to end of 2026 Atlantic hurricane season
When is the peak of hurricane season?
The peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the Hurricane Center.
What are names for 2026 Atlantic hurricane season?
Here are the names for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season and how to pronounce them:
Arthur: Tropical Storm Arthur formed June 17, 2026Bertha: Tropical Storm Bertha formed July 20, 2026- Cristobal, krees-TOH-bahl
- Dolly, DAH-lee
- Edouard, eh-DWARD
- Fay, fay
- Gonzalo, gohn-SAH-loh
- Hanna, HAN-uh
- Isaias, ees-ah-EE-ahs
- Josephine, JOH-seh-feen
- Kyle, KY-ull
- Leah, LEE-ah
- Marco, MAR-koe
- Nana, NA-na
- Omar, OH-mar
- Paulette, pawl-LET
- Rene, re-NAY
- Sally, SAL-ee
- Teddy, TEHD-ee
- Vicky, VIH-kee
- Wilfred, WILL-fred
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What's next?
We will continue to update our tropical weather coverage to bring you the most current information you need to protect your home and family.
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://palmbeachpost.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: National Hurricane Center tracking 3 tropical waves. August forecast
