Tropical Depression Eight Forms Northeast of the Bahamas; Likely to Stay East of the Carolinas Early Next Week – The Weather Channel

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Tropical Depression Eight has formed northeast of the Bahamas.

Somewhat favorable conditions should allow the system to strengthen as it moves northward.

The next name on the list is Gert if Eight becomes a tropical storm.

A cold front along the East Coast should keep the depression away from the eastern seaboard.

Tropical Depression Eight has formed a few hundred miles northeast of the Bahamas, and it could pick up surf along the East Coast.

Previously dubbed Invest 99L, this system has become a little better defined and the shower and thunderstorm activity has increased, allowing the upgrade toTropical Depression Eight.

Theenvironment around this storm is improving, with less wind shear and dry air, but these still not ideal conditions should keep Tropical Depression Eight from getting too strong.

That said, environmental conditions are expected to be good enough to allow Eight to become a tropical storm on Sunday, and it should strengthenas it moves northward in the western Atlantic.

The next named storm that forms in the Atlantic will be Gert.

(MORE: Hurricane Central)

Is it anything to worry about on the East Coast?

This system will begin to turn more to the north on Sunday east of the U.S. That is because it will be sandwiched between the western periphery of high pressure in the central Atlantic and an incoming cold front across the eastern U.S.

Tropical Depression Eight will take the alleyway in between those large-scale weather systems.

At the moment, it appears this alleyway will set up far enough east that the U.S. would avoid any direct impacts, but increased surf along the East Coast is possible. A higher rip current risk is possible too.

Check back with us at weather.com for the latest on this, and everything inthe tropics this hurricane season.

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Tropical Depression Eight Forms Northeast of the Bahamas; Likely to Stay East of the Carolinas Early Next Week - The Weather Channel