Two Disturbances Could Develop in the Atlantic This Week
Listen to the story
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is tracking two areas of disturbed weather in the eastern Atlantic Ocean this week.
Both systems have a chance of developing into tropical systems, according to the NHC.
The two disturbances have been given the names Invest 92-L and Invest 93-L. The term "invest" means the NHC is investigating a weather system that might strengthen.
The letter "L" shows that the system is located in the Atlantic basin, rather than the Pacific.
Forecasters regularly track disturbances like these during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs for several months each year.
Not every disturbance turns into a storm. Many weaken or fall apart before they can strengthen.
However, some disturbances gain organisation and become tropical depressions, then tropical storms, and eventually hurricanes if conditions are right.
The NHC has not said exactly when, or if, either Invest 92-L or Invest 93-L will strengthen further.
People living near the Atlantic coast are advised to keep checking official forecasts this week for updates on both systems.
Meteorologists use satellite data and other tools to monitor how these disturbances change over time.
The eastern Atlantic is a common area for storms to form, especially during the peak months of hurricane season.
Vocabulary8 words
- National Hurricane Center
- a U.S. agency that tracks and forecasts storms
- NHC
- short name for the National Hurricane Center
- tropical system
- a general term for tropical storms and hurricanes
- Invest 92-L
- a name for a weather system being studied by the NHC
- Invest 93-L
- a name for another weather system being studied by the NHC
- hurricane season
- the months when hurricanes can form
- tropical depression
- an early, weak stage of a storm
- hurricane
- a very powerful spinning storm with strong winds
Quiz
Answer key
1. Two disturbances in the eastern Atlantic 2. A system the NHC is studying for possible strengthening 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The _____ is tracking two areas of disturbed weather in the eastern Atlantic this week.
Both systems have a chance of developing into _____, according to the NHC.
The two disturbances have been given the names _____ and _____.
The term "invest" means the NHC is _____ a weather system that might strengthen.
The letter "L" shows that the system is located in the Atlantic _____.
Forecasters regularly track disturbances like these during the Atlantic _____.
Some disturbances gain organisation and become tropical depressions, then tropical storms, and eventually _____ if conditions are right.
People living near the Atlantic coast are advised to keep checking official _____ this week.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think forecasters give names like "Invest 92-L" to weather systems that are not yet storms?
- How important is it for people near coastlines to follow hurricane forecasts closely?
- What kinds of technology do you think meteorologists use to track storms?
- Have you ever experienced a tropical storm or hurricane? What was it like?
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