A tropical depression might form in the Caribbean next week, hurricane forecasters say
A tropical depression might form in the Caribbean Sea by next week, though it’s too soon to tell what impacts it might have on the Gulf Coast.
The National Hurricane Center is tracking three systems Saturday night — one in the Caribbean and two in the Atlantic.
The one to watch is a broad area of low pressure in the Caribbean, which has a 70% chance of strengthening into a tropical depression within the next seven days, up from 60% earlier in the day.
Forecasters say a depression might form as the system slowly moves over the northwestern Caribbean in the next few days and then into the Gulf of Mexico.
It’s unclear where the system will go if it strengthens into a tropical depression. Early computer models show a wide array of possibilities. However, Michael Lowery, lead forecaster for WPLG-ABC 10, said Friday that the early trends show a storm track unlikely to affect South Florida.
But that might change during the weekend.
“While it’s far too early to pinpoint where exactly the system could head next week, the early trends at least have been favorable for South Florida and the far eastern Gulf Coast,” he said in his blog. “That said, it’s still early, and everyone along the Gulf Coast should check back on the forecast trends this weekend and into early next week, as forecast models get a better handle on the future of the system.”
Forecasters watch two other systems
Forecasters are watching two other disturbances in the Atlantic Ocean, but only one has a better chance of strengthening anytime soon.
The first is an area of low pressure about 700 miles southeast of Bermuda. The system is embedded in a very dry environment and is not expected to see any significant development. It has a 10% chance of formation in the next two to seven days.
Forecasters are also watching for a tropical wave that is expected to move off the coast of Africa on Sunday or Monday. It’ll see gradual development, with a tropical depression possibly forming next week.
It has a 40% chance of strengthening in the next seven days.
This story was originally published September 20, 2024 at 8:42 PM with the headline "A tropical depression might form in the Caribbean next week, hurricane forecasters say."
%20Cropped%20(2).jpg)