Hurricane Ian not the only system forecasters are watching. A depression could form
While all eyes are on Hurricane Ian as it treks toward Florida, forecasters are also watching a system in the Atlantic that has a high chance of turning into a tropical depression in the next couple of days.
Despite being near dry air, the disturbance several hundred miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands is in conditions that seem friendly enough for development, according to the National Hurricane Center’s advisory at 8 a.m. Tuesday.
The hurricane center says the system has a 70% chance of formation through the next two to five days as it meanders over the central Atlantic and then turn north-northwest by early Thursday. However, forecasters say it has a limited window to develop, with upper-level winds expected to become less friendly for development near the end of the week.
As for Ian, the system made landfall in western Cuba as a Category 3 hurricane early Tuesday and is expected to reach Cat 4 level strength while it’s over the Gulf of Mexico. Forecasters expect it will weaken back into a Cat 3 before making landfall in the Tampa Bay area.
Julia is the next storm name on the list for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season.
This story was originally published September 26, 2022 at 8:49 AM.
