Tropical Depression in Caribbean less likely: NHC

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A tropical wave in the eastern Caribbean now appears less likely than previously to become a tropical depression or cyclone, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said on Thursday.

In an outlook issued at 10:30 p.m. EDT (0230 GMT Friday), the NHC said, "Satellite images indicate that the shower activity associated with the tropical wave has decreased during the past few hours. This suggests that the system is not developing at this time and the potential for tropical depression formation has diminished."

"The tropical wave is expected to move rapidly westward bringing cloudiness and showers to Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Central America during the next couple of days," it said."

The energy market watches for tropical storms because they can disrupt U.S. oil and natural gas production and refining if they enter the Gulf of Mexico.

Commodities traders also track tropical storms because they can damage crops in Florida and along the Gulf Coast.

Separately, the NHC noted an area of cloudiness and showers over the northeastern Gulf of Mexico associated with a broad trough of low pressure, but said that it remained disorganized.

"Development, if any, should be slow to occur."

The NHC will name the next tropical storm Dean.