The system, currently designated Invest 94L, has been described by the hurricane center as a “well-defined low pressure area” over the central tropical Atlantic that is currently producing occasional showers and thunderstorms.

Forecasters said the system remained “embedded in a dry air environment” and development was unlikely over the next few days, but the system was forecast to shift generally westward and environmental conditions were expected to become more favorable for gradual development in the mid to late part of this Week.

“A tropical depression could form as the system begins to move west-northwestward and approaches or approaches the Leeward Islands later this week,” the NHC said. There is a 60 percent chance that the system will form within the next seven days.