RismadarVoice Reporters, August 27, 2026
Tropical Storm Dolly has formed in the Atlantic Ocean, just two days after the death of American country music icon Dolly Parton at the age of 80.
The storm became the fourth named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season after it formed at about 11 a.m. EDT on August 27, according to the National Hurricane Centre.
However, meteorological authorities have clarified that the storm’s name is purely coincidental and has no connection with Parton’s death.
Names given to storms in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific are selected from an alphabetical list maintained by a committee of the World Meteorological Organisation. The list is prepared years in advance and is repeated every six years.
As of 11 a.m. EDT on August 27, Tropical Storm Dolly was located about 1,555 miles east of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean and was moving westward at about 24 miles per hour.
The storm had maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour.
Forecasters said Dolly is expected to remain short-lived because of unfavourable environmental conditions that are expected to develop from August 28 and could prevent further strengthening.
The system became better organised overnight before being officially named Dolly, according to the National Hurricane Centre.
Meteorologists said the storm could bring showers and gusty winds to parts of the Leeward Islands during the weekend.
There is also a possibility that the system could affect Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and potentially parts of the United States if it remains organised. However, forecasters said that if the storm strengthens, it could instead turn northward and move out to sea.
Retired National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration meteorologist Roger Edwards, who was also a fan of Parton, described the timing of the storm’s name as an “astounding coincidence.”
