Watching the tropics for possible Gabrielle

A tropical wave over the central tropical Atlantic is being monitored closely for possible tropical development over the next few days.

The feature is moving westward and will be near the Lesser Antilles by the middle to latter part of next week.

Dry air in the immediate area could limit any development; upper-level winds are generally favourable for development.

The National Hurricane Center gives the wave a medium chance of formation in the next 48 hours and a high chance of forming in the next seven days.

It remains too early to discuss where the system will go and how strong it will be.

The next named storm will be Gabrielle.