Tropical Storm Bill forms in Atlantic, making it the second named storm of the season
Tropical Storm Bill weakened into a post-tropical storm in the open Atlantic. It is the second named storm of the season, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Forecasters are also watching two other disturbances, one of which is forecast to develop into a tropical depression later this week in the Gulf of Mexico and could bring 7 to 10 inches of rain to the Gulf coast, including the Panhandle.
Here’s what to know:
Post-Tropical Storm Bill forecast
Bill had downgraded to a post-tropical storm and could continue to weaken and move quickly toward the northeast until it weakens to a trough in the next 12 to 24 hours, according to the hurricane center’s 11 p.m. Tuesday advisory.
The NHC will no longer be releasing advisories on Bill.
Bill is the second named storm of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. Subtropical Storm Ana formed near Bermuda last month — making it the seventh year in a row that a named storm formed before the hurricane season’s official start date, June 1.
Disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico
Forecasters are also watching a disturbance in the Gulf that was producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms over the Bay of Campeche. It’s forecast to meander near the coast of Mexico during the next few days. It will likely turn into a tropical depression later in the week once it moves across the central or northwestern Gulf of Mexico, according to the hurricane center.
It had a 50% chance of formation in the next 48 hours and an 80% chance through the next five days, as of the 8 p.m. advisory.
Regardless of how strong the storm is, forecasters say the disturbance could bring soaking rain to portions of Central America, southern Mexico and the U.S. Gulf Coast. The National Weather Service predicted that Louisiana to Northwest Florida could see seven to 10 inches of rain later this week.
Tropical wave in the Atlantic?
Forecasters are also monitoring a tropical wave that was producing a large area of disorganized showers and cloudiness about several hundred miles south of the Cabo Verde Islands.
The wave has a low 10% chance of formation in the next two to five days, according to the hurricane center’s 8 p.m. advisory.
A combination of dry air and strong upper-level winds should limit the wave’s chances of formation as it moves over the central Atlantic, according to the hurricane center.
The next storm name on the 2021 list is Claudette.
This story was originally published June 15, 2021 at 7:50 AM with the headline "Tropical Storm Bill forms in Atlantic, making it the second named storm of the season."
