HOUSTON (KIAH) — The National Hurricane Center says a system in the eastern tropical Atlantic now has a 90% chance of developing into a cyclone within the next seven days.

As of 2 a.m. Monday, showers and thunderstorms associated with a well-defined low near the northwestern Cabo Verde Islands continue to show signs of organization. Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center said the disturbance, labeled AL97, could become a tropical depression within the next day or so as it moves west at 15–20 mph.

Its heavy rain and gusty winds are expected today across portions of the Cabo Verde Islands. Even if development is delayed, environmental conditions are favorable for strengthening, and a tropical storm could form by mid to late week.

The National Hurricane Center gives the system a 70

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