Tropical Storm Dolly moves toward Caribbean, expected to weaken before landfall
The National Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Dolly is tracking westward toward the Leeward Islands but is likely to degenerate into a tropical wave before reaching them, with heavy rain possible.
The National Hurricane Center reported that Tropical Storm Dolly is maintaining its structure as it moves westward across the Atlantic toward the Caribbean. At 5 a.m. Friday, the storm was located about 1,145 miles east of the Leeward Islands, traveling at 24 mph with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and tropical-storm-force winds extending 115 miles from its center.
"On the forecast track, this system, or its remnants, should be nearing the Leeward Islands this weekend," NHC senior hurricane specialist John Cangialosi said. "Little change in strength is likely during the next couple of days, and Dolly is forecast to degenerate into a tropical wave before it reaches the Leeward Islands."
Even if the storm dissipates, forecasters expect heavy rain to affect the Caribbean from late Saturday into Monday, potentially bringing flash flooding in mountainous areas.
"This heavy rain may produce flash flooding, especially in areas of higher terrain," Cangialosi added.
The next advisory is scheduled for 11 a.m. The storm is the fourth named system of the 2026 Atlantic season, which NOAA now predicts will produce between seven and 13 named storms, with two to six becoming hurricanes.