The National Hurricane Center is monitoring three systems that could potentially develop into the next tropical depression or storm of the season.
According to the NHC’s 8 a.m. tropical outlook Sunday, the most likely of these is a tropical wave with shower activity several hundred miles east of the Lesser Antilles heading toward the Caribbean. That system has changed little in the organization all week.
“Some slow development is possible as the disturbance moves westward and reaches the Lesser Antilles on Monday,” meteorologists said. “The wave is expected to move across the central and western Caribbean later this week, where conditions are expected to become more favorable for some development, and a tropical depression could form during that time.”
Despite the lack of organization, the hurricane could bring heavy winds and rainfall to some parts of the Windward and Leeward Islands if it reaches the Caribbean on Monday.
According to the long-range forecast, the hurricane will cross the Caribbean and possibly reach the Gulf of Mexico.
According to the NHC, there is a 10% chance of it developing in the next two days, and a 40% chance of it developing in the next seven days.
The US is already being hit by a large area of low pressure near the coast of Texas and Louisiana, where some showers and thunderstorms are still occurring.
“This system is expected to remain near the coast for the next several days, and some slow development is possible if it remains offshore,” meteorologists said. “Regardless of development, heavy rains during the storm could cause flash flooding across portions of coastal Louisiana and upper Texas.
“The next few days.”
The NHC estimates the chance of development in the next two days at 10% and of development in the next seven days at 20%.
The third system is a tropical wave expected to move toward the coast from the west coast of Africa on Monday.
“Thereafter, environmental conditions could support slow development through the week as the system moves slowly westward or west-northwestward across the eastern tropical Atlantic,” meteorologists said.
According to the NHC, there is a 20% chance that the virus will develop in the next seven days.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has produced five named storms so far: Tropical Storm Alberto, Hurricane Beryl, Tropical Storm Chris, Hurricane Debby, and Hurricane Ernesto. Next on the list are Francine, Gordon, and Helene.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) earlier this month issued an upgraded forecast for 17-24 storms, of which 8-13 could become hurricanes and 4-7 could develop into major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.
