Dolly becomes fourth named storm of 2026 Atlantic hurricane season

Tropical Storm Dolly emerged in the central Atlantic on Thursday, marking the fourth named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, reported Fox News. The storm formed 1,555 miles east of the Leeward Islands, boasting winds of 40 miles per hour, the minimum requirement for tropical storm status. Dolly was moving swiftly westward across the central Atlantic.

Forecasters expect the storm to weaken to a tropical wave before making landfall on the Leeward Islands around Saturday, potentially causing flash flooding and impacting the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Hispaniola by Monday. This marks the fourth named storm of the year, following Arthur, Bertha, and Cristobal. The 2026 hurricane season, running from June to November, has seen less activity than usual, attributed to the intensifying El Niño in the Pacific Ocean.

Dolly's name was selected randomly, following a six-year cycle, with names assigned in alphabetical order once they reach tropical storm strength.