The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) is monitoring a new weather system in the Atlantic that could develop into a tropical depression in the coming days, as Tropical Storm Jerry dissipates after moving away from the Caribbean.

In its latest tropical weather outlook issued early on Sunday, the NHC said a tropical wave located well to the southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands is generating a large area of disorganised showers and thunderstorms. Meteorologists say environmental conditions are favourable for gradual development as the system tracks west-northwest or northwest across the central tropical Atlantic at speeds of 15 to 20 mph (24 to 32 km/h).

The NHC has given the disturbance, designated AL97, a 40 per cent chance of forming into a tropical depression within 48 hours and a 50 per cent chance within the next seven days.

The potential new system comes as Tropical Storm Jerry, which had been active in the Atlantic last week, weakened and broke apart as it drifted further from the Caribbean. Jerry was the tenth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June to November.

Forecasters continue to monitor the tropical Atlantic closely, with ocean temperatures remaining above average and conditions still supportive of storm formation as the season enters its latter stages.