Tropical Depression Three likely to form in the next day or two

A tropical wave that emerged off the coast of Africa is likely to become a tropical depression in the next day or two as it pushes toward the Caribbean, according to the National Hurricane Center.

In its 8 a.m. Saturday update, the hurricane center increased the system’s chances of formation in the next two days to 80%, with a 90% chance within the next seven days.

The system located hundreds of miles southwest of Africa’s Cape Verde Islands is continuing to produce a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms, the hurricane center said.

The latest path has it approaching the Leeward Islands, the eastern edge of the Caribbean, by late next week.

It is expected to move west at 15 to 20 mph across the eastern and central Atlantic, the hurricane center said in its Sunday update.

If it develops, it would become Tropical Depression Three. If its sustained winds reach 39 mph, it would become Tropical Storm Bret.