Tropical Storm Dolly speeding across Atlantic toward the Caribbean

Tropical Storm Dolly is rapidly moving across the Atlantic Ocean towards the Leeward Islands, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm, which formed on Thursday with sustained winds of 40 mph, is forecast to bring significant rainfall to parts of the Caribbean this weekend. Heavy rain is expected to affect the Leeward Islands from late Saturday into Sunday, potentially causing flash flooding in higher terrain. The storm's name is a coincidence and not related to the recent death of Dolly Parton, as storm names are assigned from predetermined lists by the World Meteorological Organization. The Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, has been quieter than usual this year, partly due to El Niño conditions.

Tropical Storm Dolly formed in the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday, August 27, 2026, far from land. Forecasters at the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami expect it to bring heavy rain to portions of the Caribbean, including the Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Hispaniola, over the weekend. While little change in strength is forecast, flash flooding is a possibility. Dolly is the fourth named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, which is predicted to be below average due to El Nino. The storm's name is unrelated to the death of Dolly Parton.