Early Cape Verde system?

[Windspeed]

The chances are increasing that we may get a Cape Verde disturbance developing into the first named storm of the year. The strong wave that exited last week has substantially increased the moisture along the ITCZ from the African coast to roughly 50ºW; though the Azores high is ridging southward and suppressing the ITCZ a bit around 35ºW at this time. Also, 27-28º C water temps have now expanded up to 12.5ºN; and this combined with the very active ITCZ in the African interior might give us something interesting to watch develop before too much longer.

http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/TROP/DATA/RT/SST/ATL/20.jpg

Interestingly, there appears to be a mid-to-low level vortex centered roughly at 8ºN, 19ºW that has maintained convection more-so than any previous wave up to this point. Something to keep eyeing.

http://hadar.cira.colostate.edu/ramsdis ... oat_0.html

As has been discussed any many previous posts, I agree this year is going to be a rough year for Cape Verde storms impacting the Greater/Lesser Antilles and the Southeast U.S. The easterly steering currents are troubling to think about right now. The dominating Azores high and the Bermuda high extending into the Southeast U.S., continues to be stronger and extended much further west, which, if this pattern persists will be a major deterrent to a late summer/early fall troughing pattern. A pattern that has been vital to steering major storms north and weakening them substantially before a Mid-Atlantic region landfall, or, better yet, steering them back out to sea entirely.

[corpusbreeze]

Yes that system off the coast of Africa looks real good.I think it has the best chance to bloom.

[abajan]

Yep, I too think that something is going to pop in the Cape Verde region soon. Also, I've noticed that shear seems to be on the decline. Then again, there's still a lot of dry air out there.

BTW, I'm now a TD!