Meteorologists are tracking a tropical rainstorm in the Atlantic, currently east of the Lesser Antilles, that could potentially impact Florida later this week or weekend.

Meteorologists are monitoring a developing tropical rainstorm in the Atlantic that could potentially impact Florida later this week or weekend.

Currently located east of the Lesser Antilles, the storm is contending with dry air and wind shear, but it may strengthen once it moves into more favorable conditions, according to Meteorology group AccuWeather. If the system develops into a tropical storm, it will be named Debby.

Presently, the storm is moving over very warm waters, which support its development. However, it will encounter disruptive wind shear in the next 24 hours. Wind shear, a variation in wind speed and direction at different altitudes, can hinder the storm’s organization. By the end of the week, the storm is expected to enter an area with lower wind shear and increased moisture, conditions that are more conducive to strengthening. A movement path placing the storm north of the Greater Antilles could lead to it affecting the Bahamas and the U.S. East Coast, while a southern route may pose a risk to the U.S. Gulf Coast, including Florida.

The mountainous regions of Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and Cuba present a variable that could break up the system, as the fothcoming terrains can disrupt the storm’s wind flow and weaken it. If the storm tracks over these islands, its intensity could diminish, reducing the risk of significant impact. However, should it avoid these mountainous regions, the warm waters and lower wind shear could facilitate its development.

“Right now, this tropical rainstorm has a 60 percent chance of strengthening into a named storm no sooner than this weekend or early next week,” said AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno.

AccuWeather experts are forecasting an active hurricane season with 20 to 25 named storms and four to six direct impacts on the United States.