Tropical moisture is bringing heavy rain to parts of the Caribbean, while another area near Louisiana could become more organized this week.
GATLINBURG, Tenn. (Smokies.LIVE Storm Center) — The tropics are getting a little more active as the remnants of Tropical Storm Dolly produce significant rainfall across parts of the northeastern Caribbean, while forecasters are also watching another disturbance near the Louisiana coastline.
Remnants of Dolly Bring Heavy Rain
A strong tropical wave, consisting of the remnants of Tropical Storm Dolly, is producing scattered moderate and isolated strong thunderstorms across the northeastern Caribbean.
The area of disturbed weather stretches from roughly 15 to 21 degrees north latitude and 58 to 67 degrees west longitude, including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the northern Leeward Islands.
The primary concern right now is heavy rainfall, with downpours potentially producing localized flooding in areas that receive repeated thunderstorms.
Gulf System Worth Watching
Closer to home, another area of disturbed weather is being monitored near the Louisiana coastline.
The system currently has about a 50% chance of developing, and conditions could become more favorable for additional organization by the middle of the week as the disturbance moves toward the southeastern Gulf of America.
Forecasters currently give the system a low chance of tropical development over the next seven days, but the setup is worth watching as it moves across the Gulf.
What Does This Mean for the Smokies?
For East Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains, there is no immediate tropical threat from either system.
However, tropical systems can change quickly, and moisture from the Gulf can sometimes contribute to increased rainfall across the Southeast.
The Smokies.LIVE Storm Center will continue monitoring both areas as we head into the week.
Bottom line: The remnants of Dolly are bringing significant rain to the Caribbean, while a separate Gulf disturbance has a better opportunity to organize by midweek. It’s something to watch — but there is no reason for concern in the Smokies right now.
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