HOLT, Fla., Aug. 27, 2026— A tip of the hat from nature in tribute to Dolly Parton’s passing yesterday as TS Dolly forms in the Atlantic this morning.

There were some forecasted doubts that the African low identified as Invest 96 could form before moving through a harsh environment of wind shear, but according to the National Hurricane Center, the low crossing the Atlantic developed a well-defined center this morning. It skipped the tropical depression stage and went straight to tropical storm.

Dolly is moving westward at 25 mph with 40 mph winds. It is expected to reach an intensity of 45 mph before losing intensity and becoming post-tropical this weekend.

Dolly is the fourth-named storm of the 2026 hurricane season.

The timing and use of the name Dolly for this storm is purely coincidental, according to the NHC. Tropical names for the North Atlantic Basin originate from six pre-determined rotating lists established by the World Meteorological Organization Region IV Hurricane Committee.

The name Dolly replaced the name Diana after the 1990 hurricane season and was first used in 1996.

Slow season

Wind shear and dry air due to a strong El Niño have kept storm development to a minimum so far this season.

NOAA estimates a 75 percent chance of a below-average season with only a 5 percent chance of an above-normal season.

Typically, August and September are the peak of the hurricane season with Sept. 10, just two weeks away, being the climatic peak.