Overview
- U.S. forecasters at the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service are monitoring an area of low pressure near the Cabo Verde Islands that may become a tropical depression and would be named Dolly if winds reach 39 mph.
- Officials and news outlets say the name match with Dolly Parton’s recent death is a coincidence and the naming has no connection to her.
- The World Meteorological Organization uses six-year rotating lists of short, easy-to-pronounce names that alternate by gender and are chosen to aid clear public communication rather than to honor people.
- NOAA forecasts a below-average Atlantic season driven by El Niño and projects eight to 14 named storms with three to six becoming hurricanes.
- Residents and coastal officials should follow NHC updates for any change in the system’s strength because a named storm triggers formal warnings and helps emergency agencies coordinate evacuations and other preparations.