The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is currently monitoring two developing systems in the Atlantic Ocean that could transform into tropical depressions in the coming days.
The first low-pressure area is located in the central tropical Atlantic and is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms, the NHC reported on its website. The environmental conditions are moderately favorable for its development, with a 60% chance of formation in the next 48 hours and within the next 7 days.
The NHC noted that this system is expected to move west-northwest at a speed of 10 mph as it evolves over the next few days.
The NHC is also keeping an eye on another low-pressure area located several hundred miles west-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands. This system is generating a broad area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. The monitoring center warned that the system will interact with a tropical wave in the coming days, which could aid its development.
Although the chances of formation in the next 48 hours are low (near 0%), these increase to 60% over the next 7 days as the system moves west-northwest at a speed of 10 to 15 mph.
Potential Tropical Cyclone Six in the Gulf of Mexico
Currently, the NHC is also monitoring Potential Tropical Cyclone Six located in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, which has a high probability of forming in the short term, with a 90% chance of becoming a tropical depression in the next 48 hours and a 90% chance within the next 7 days. This weather system could impact the coasts of Texas and Louisiana by mid-week.
Recently, five disturbances were identified in the North Atlantic, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. Although these had low development probabilities, they indicate the approach of the peak phase of the current hurricane season.
According to the forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), between 17 to 24 named storms (winds of 39 mph or greater) and 8 to 13 hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or greater) could form during the current hurricane season.
The entity has noted that this has been the most active hurricane season in the Atlantic in the past 30 years.
FAQs on Developing Tropical Systems in the Atlantic
As the Atlantic hurricane season intensifies, many questions arise regarding the development and potential impacts of these tropical systems. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers:
What are the chances of these systems becoming tropical depressions?
The first system has a 60% chance of formation in the next 48 hours and 7 days. The second system has near 0% chance in the next 48 hours but increases to 60% over the next 7 days.
Where are these systems currently located?
The first system is in the central tropical Atlantic, while the second is several hundred miles west-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands.
What is Potential Tropical Cyclone Six?
Potential Tropical Cyclone Six is located in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico and has a high probability (90%) of becoming a tropical depression within the next 48 hours and 7 days.
How active is the current hurricane season?
According to NOAA, the current hurricane season is the most active in the past 30 years, with expectations of 17 to 24 named storms and 8 to 13 hurricanes.