The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has announced the possibility of a low-pressure trough moving westward near the Greater Antilles, which may undergo a "gradual development" over the coming days, leading to increased rainfall in the region. Currently, this meteorological system is situated over the northern Leeward Islands, causing "scattered showers and thunderstorms," as reported by the NHC in a bulletin early Thursday morning.
The NHC noted that even if this system does not evolve into a cyclone, heavy, localized rainfall might still occur in the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and the southeastern Bahamas through Saturday. Notably, Cuba has not been listed among the areas potentially impacted by this weather phenomenon.
At present, the likelihood of the system developing into a more significant weather event remains low, with a mere 20 percent chance over both the next 48 hours and the following week.
Understanding Atmospheric Troughs
A trough is an elongated region of relatively low atmospheric pressure that stretches from a low-pressure area into regions of higher pressure. These systems are often linked to atmospheric instability, leading to rising air, cloud formation, and in many cases, precipitation and storms.
In the broader context of meteorology, troughs are critical as they signal areas where weather changes, such as rainfall and temperature shifts, are more probable. They can form in any region, affecting both tropical climates and mid-latitude zones.
Regional Weather Update
In addition to the westward-moving trough, Hurricane Rafael is currently moving northwest through the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. On Wednesday, Rafael severely impacted western Cuba, causing significant material damage. The ongoing hurricane season is set to conclude on November 30.