— The chances of a tropical wave developing in the Atlantic have increased to 50% over the next seven days, with forecasters saying a tropical depression could form later this week. The system, identified as Disturbance 2, is expected to move off the west coast of Africa early this week. Environmental conditions are forecast to become increasingly favorable for gradual development as the disturbance moves generally westward to west-northwestward across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic. The latest outlook puts the chance of formation at near zero during the next 48 hours, increasing to a medium 50% chance through seven days. The National Hurricane Center’s seven-day outlook shows a broad potential development area extending westward across the tropical Atlantic.