Hurricane center ups odds for Atlantic system to develop, tracks 2nd in Caribbean

ORLANDO, Fla. — The National Hurricane Center is keeping track of a system in the Atlantic forecast to approach the Caribbean this week, and a second already in the Caribbean that could form into the season’s next tropical depression or storm.

As of the NHC’s 2 p.m. Eastern time tropical outlook, the well-defined area of low pressure was located halfway between the Cape Verde Islands and Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles in the central tropical Atlantic producing limited showers and thunderstorms.

“This system is currently embedded in a dry air environment, and development is unlikely over the next couple of days,” forecasters said. “However, this system is forecast to move generally westward toward warmer waters, and environmental conditions could become more favorable for gradual development by the middle to latter part of this week.”

The NHC said a tropical depression could form as the system begins to move west-northwest and approach the Caribbean’s Leeward Islands late this week.

The NHC gives it a 10% chance to develop in the next two days, and 60% in the next seven.

If it were to develop into a named storm, it could become Tropical Storm Nadine.

The National Weather Service in Tampa warned it was too early to know if it will have an impact on Florida.

“Now is not the time to panic about this shaded orange area,” NWS Tampa posted on X. “It is still TOO EARLY to tell where this one will go or how strong it will be, IF it even develops. Focus on today, and your recovery efforts.”

The Gulf Coast is still reeling from a double hit of hurricanes with both Milton and Helene hitting within two weeks.

Also on Monday, the NHC began forecasting a broad area of low pressure to form over the southwestern Caribbean by the middle or late part of this week.

“Some development is possible thereafter if the system stays over water while it moves slowly west-northwestward towards northern CentralAmerica,” forecasters said. “Regardless of development, locally heavy rainfall is possible across portions of Central America later this week.”

The NHC gives it a 20% chance to develop in the next seven days.

The 2024 hurricane season lasts through Nov. 30.

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