MIAMI A potential tropical disturbance in the eastern Atlantic Ocean is beginning a long journey westward, although for now it appears unlikely to develop into a tropical depression on Saturday, the National Hurricane Center said.

The disturbance, currently named 94L by the NHC Invest, is located just west of the Cape Verde Islands. It brought tropical storm force winds and heavy rain to the archipelago on Friday evening.

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The NHC said earlier Saturday that there were some signs that the storm system could briefly develop into a tropical depression at some point during the day, but the storm has not developed so far and the chance has dropped to 30% of becoming a tropical depression. With the atmosphere looking less conducive to development for a while, it appears the disruption will remain with Invest 94L for now.

WHAT IS AN ‘INVESTMENT’?

What are the forecasts for Invest 94L?

At this point, the disruption is expected to remain stable without further development, at least through the middle of the work week. However, long-term forecasts indicate that the disturbance will continue to follow a generally westerly track for several days as it crosses the Atlantic Ocean. Forecasters will be closely watching the storm as it begins to approach the eastern edge of the Caribbean.

“It will continue on a westerly path that could take it to the northeastern Caribbean islands in about a week,” said FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross. “The disturbance could be anything from a developing tropical disturbance, to Tropical Storm Nadine, to a messy wave of tropical moisture.”