Tropical Storm Dolly became the fourth named storm of the season in the Atlantic on Thursday, with 40 mph winds. The storm is not expected to strengthen over the next few days as it moves through the Caribbean. FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross offers exclusive analysis at the storm’s forecast:
TAKE AWAY:
- Dolly is the fourth named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season.
- Dolly is forecast to degenerate into a tropical wave before it reaches the Leeward Islands.
- The system’s heavy rainfall could start reaching the Leeward Islands by late Saturday or Sunday.
Tropical Storm Dolly has formed in the Atlantic Ocean after struggling to develop over the past few days as it battled the hostile conditions produced by the inhibiting El Niño climate pattern.
LATEST FROM FOX WEATHER HURRICANE SPECIALIST BRYAN NORCROSS
In the 11 a.m. ET advisory, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) announced that Dolly has sustained winds of 40 mph, and is currently moving through the Atlantic Ocean west at 24 mph, with a central pressure of 1007 mb.
(FOX Weather)
According to the FOX Forecast Center, Dolly’s status is expected to be short-lived as it will once again be taken over by hostile conditions in the Atlantic driven by an intensifying El Niño cycle on Friday.
As a result, the storm should weaken into a depression or a gusty moisture surge.
BREWING SUPER EL NIÑO EXPECTED TO BE STRONGEST ANYONE ALIVE ON THE PLANET HAS EVER EXPERIENCED
El Niño is typically associated with reduced tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic Basin and increased storm activity in the Eastern and Central Pacific basins, along with a host of other weather impacts around the world outside of hurricane season.
This is a pattern we’ve already seen so far this year.
(FOX Weather)
According to the NHC, heavy rain from this system could begin affecting the Leeward Islands late Saturday into Sunday, before spreading to the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Hispaniola on Sunday and Monday.
These downpours may produce flash flooding, especially in areas of higher terrain.
Stick with FOX Weather for the latest updates across the tropics.
