Atlantic Tropical Storm Ophelia remains weak and rather disorganized as of late Saturday morning.

This system has been battling disruptive wind shear (strong winds high in the atmosphere) and will continue to do so for the next several days.

Wind shear could eventually win the war and disintegrate Ophelia into a tropical rainstorm later this weekend or early next week.

Residents and visitors of the Lesser Antilles are more than happy to hear that the approaching Ophelia will fail to become a powerful tropical system.

The other good news is that the forecast track of Ophelia keeps the tropical storm north of the islands. However, those on the Leeward Islands should not let their guard down yet.

Ophelia may still pass close enough to graze the Leeward Islands with gusty, drenching showers this weekend.

A larger and up to date window of movement is available at the AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center.

According to Expert Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski, “Folks in the Leewards and British and U.S. Virgin islands should recall what Maria did.”

Even though the center of the storm passed well north of the region, feeder bands on the southern flank of the storm caused flash flooding and power outages.

“If Ophelia were to pulse while passing to the north, it could make for similar conditions to what Maria did,” Sosnowski added.

Most of the heaviest shower activity should bypass Puerto Rico. That would change if Ophelia turns northwestward a little later than currently expected by the AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center.

Rough surf will endanger swimmers throughout the Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico throughout the remainder of the weekend.

Beyond this weekend, “Some computer information suggests [Ophelia] will pass very close to Bermuda Tuesday night into Wednesday of next week,” stated AccuWeather.com Hurricane and Tropical Weather Expert Meteorologist Dan Kottlowski.

There are other indications that less wind shear will be hindering Ophelia early next week, which would open the door for the storm to once again strengthen just before reaching Bermuda.

The United States is expected to be protected from Ophelia by the same stubborn storm system that will renew the threat of flooding across the East.

AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Bill Deger contributed to the content of this story.