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Tropical Storm Dolly forms in the Atlantic Ocean as the fourth named storm of the season

Tropical Storm Dolly formed in the central tropical Atlantic on Thursday morning, reaching maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. The National Hurricane Center announced that the storm is moving west at approximately 24 mph and is expected to be short-lived as it faces hostile atmospheric conditions, including wind shear and dry air. While the storm is currently maintaining its strength, it is forecast to degenerate into a tropical wave before reaching the Leeward Islands late Saturday into Sunday. Heavy rain from the system is expected to be the primary concern for the Caribbean, with potential flash flooding in higher-elevation areas. The Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Hispaniola could also see impacts from Sunday into Monday. The storm's name is purely coincidental to the recent death of music icon Dolly Parton. The National Hurricane Center maintains a below-normal season outlook, predicting seven to 13 total named storms for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season.

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