Antigua and Barbuda meteorologist Dale Destin is urging residents across the Caribbean to closely monitor a tropical disturbance in the eastern tropical North Atlantic, warning that the system could eventually pose a threat to the islands.

“There is a #TropicalDisturbance (red) of interest to the Caribbean over the eastern tropical North Atlantic. All are asked to monitor this system, as it could become a threat to the islands,” Destin said Tuesday.

His warning comes as the U.S. National Hurricane Center continues to give the tropical wave a high chance of developing into a tropical depression later this week.

In its 2 p.m. Tropical Weather Outlook Tuesday, the NHC said the system was producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms about 550 miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands.

Environmental conditions are expected to become increasingly favorable for development over the next couple of days.

“A tropical depression will likely form during the latter half of this week while the system moves westward to west-northwestward across the central tropical Atlantic,” the NHC said.

The chance of formation within 48 hours has increased to 40%, while the probability of development within seven days remains high at 70%.

Although it is still too early to determine what impacts, if any, the system could eventually have on Antigua and Barbuda or the wider Caribbean, Destin’s advisory signals that residents should continue following its progress as it moves generally westward.

Meanwhile, Destin said another area that had been under observation is no longer expected to develop.

“The other area of interest (grey X) from yesterday is not expected to develop,” he said.

The NHC is separately monitoring a trough of low pressure about 750 miles east-northeast of Bermuda. That system has a 20% chance of development through both 48 hours and seven days and is expected to encounter cooler waters later this week, ending its chances of formation by Thursday.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Tropical Disturbance Could Become Threat to Caribbean Islands.