The National Hurricane Center tracks Invest 90L, a tropical wave off West Africa, with medium odds of developing within a week. Fay re-formed as a tropical depression southwest of the Azores. Five named storms and no hurricanes mark the Atlantic's quietest start since 1966.
The NHC expects 90L to move north, potentially bringing gusty winds and rain to Cabo Verde; if it becomes a tropical storm, it would be named Gonzalo. Fay had sustained winds of 35 mph about 885 miles southwest of the Azores and was forecast to strengthen into a tropical storm by Thursday morning.
NOAA identifies El Niño as the main factor behind low Atlantic activity, saying its strong winds hinder tropical development. Bryan Norcross, a Fox Weather hurricane specialist, said the upper winds do not quite reach 90L's area, though conditions remain marginal. NOAA and Fox Weather experts cautioned that about 40% of the season's hurricane activity remains.
