Several Waves Getting Ready to Emerge from Western Africa (credit: The Weather Channel)

DISCUSSION: As we get deeper into the Summer-time season across a good portion of the Northern Hemisphere, many tropical research scientists and global forecasters are continuing to have increasing concerns for more activity in the tropics.  The leading reason for this particularly heightened level of concern stems from the fact that during this part of the tropical Atlantic hurricane season, there is often the greatest frequency with which African easterly waves eject off of western Africa.  Depending upon the exact sea-surface temperatures and larger-scale (i.e., basin-wide) vertical wind shear in place as these African easterly waves move off of western Africa, some of these waves can develop into what we identify as tropical cyclones.  

Having said that, at the present time (as shown in the recent infrared satellite image attached above courtesy of The Weather Channel), there are several smaller waves getting ready to eject off of western Africa right now.  As a result, there is a very real concern for the possibility of upcoming tropical development across various parts of the Tropical Atlantic basin as a result of this increasing African easterly wave activity which is currently gearing up across western and central portions of Africa.  Therefore, in the coming days and weeks, the Global Weather and Climate Center will help to keep you updated on developing tropical situations as time moves forward.

To learn more about other high-impact weather events occurring across Africa, be sure to click here!

©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz