Could the Atlantic see Tropical Storm Earl this week?

The hurricane drought in the Atlantic Ocean might come to an end soon.

There is 80 percent chance that the tropical wave located over the east-central Caribbean Sea will develop into a tropical storm or hurricane in the next 48 hours, the National Hurricane Center said Monday morning.

The storm system is located about 350 miles east-southeast of Kingston, Jamaica and continues to continues to show signs of organization, according to a statement issued by NHC.

“If this development trend continues, a tropical storm is likely to form later today or tonight as the system moves westward over the west-central Caribbean sea at 20 to 25 mph. Regardless of development, locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds, perhaps to tropical storm force, are likely along the southern coast of the Dominican Republic and Haiti today,” the Hurricane Center said in a statement issued at 8a.m. Monday.

The tropical storm in the Atlantic would take the name "Earl."

Tropical storm conditions are likely to occur over Jamaica by this afternoon or evening, and could reach the Cayman Islands overnight.

Tracking maps project the system will take aim at the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.

The Hurricane Center said there is a 80 percent chance of the system becoming a tropical storm within the next 48 hours, and a 90 percent chance within the next five days.

This story was originally published August 1, 2016 at 9:45 AM with the headline "Could the Atlantic see Tropical Storm Earl this week?."