The National Hurricane Center has increased the chances of tropical cyclone formation for an area of low pressure in the central tropical Atlantic to 90 percent.

Satellite and microwave imagery showed the system, designated AL96, becoming better organized overnight as it moved about midway between Africa and the Windward Islands.

The NHC said advisories could be initiated on a short-lived tropical storm later Thursday if current development trends continue.

However, environmental conditions are expected to become hostile beginning Friday, likely ending the system’s chances of further development.

The formation chance is now 90 percent through both the next 48 hours and seven days.

Residents of Antigua and Barbuda and the wider Caribbean are encouraged to continue monitoring updates.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Tropical Atlantic System Now Has 90% Chance of Development.