The storm is not expected to strengthen into a hurricane, but rainfall impacts remain the main concern as Dolly approaches the region. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said the storm could bring heavy rain to the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Hispaniola between late Saturday and Monday.
Dolly Tracks West as Forecasters Monitor Rainfall Threats
At 5 a.m. AST on August 28, Tropical Storm Dolly was located about 1,145 miles east of the Leeward Islands, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm was moving west at 24 mph, and forecasters expected that movement to continue for the next few days.
The NHC said Dolly was expected to approach the Leeward Islands during the weekend. The agency also noted that the storm or its remnants could affect the region even if the system weakens before reaching the islands.
No coastal watches or warnings were in effect for Dolly at the time of the advisory. The NHC said people in the Leeward Islands should continue to monitor the storm’s progress as conditions develop.
Rainfall is the primary hazard associated with the system. According to the NHC, heavy rain could affect the Leeward Islands from late Saturday into Sunday, before moving toward the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Hispaniola on Sunday and Monday. The agency warned that flooding could occur, especially in higher terrain areas of the Leeward Islands.
Dolly’s formation also comes as other tropical systems are active in the Pacific Ocean. Tropical Storms Karina and Lowell formed on Thursday and were both forecast by the NHC to potentially become hurricanes in the following days. Neither system had coastal watches or warnings in effect at the time of the advisory.
Dolly Becomes Fourth Named Storm of the 2026 Atlantic Season
The name Dolly was assigned through the storm naming system managed by the World Meteorological Organization. The name is unrelated to the death of country music singer Dolly Parton, according to the Associated Press.
Storm names are selected in advance and reused on a six-year cycle unless a name is retired because of the impact of a particularly destructive storm. The Atlantic naming list alternates between male and female names, with Dolly following Arthur, Bertha and Cristobal during the 2026 season.
The Atlantic hurricane season began with Tropical Storm Arthur making landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast in June. Tropical Storm Bertha later affected Louisiana and Texas in July, while Tropical Storm Cristobal formed in the Atlantic and dissipated earlier in August.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted a below-average Atlantic hurricane season linked to El Niño conditions. According to NOAA, the agency expects eight to 14 named storms during the season, with three to six potentially becoming hurricanes and one to three reaching major hurricane strength.
For Dolly, forecasters are focused on rainfall and possible flooding as the storm continues across the Atlantic toward the Caribbean. The system’s next developments will depend on its movement and structure as it nears the islands.
