National Hurricane Center Monitors Developing Tropical Systems

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is actively monitoring multiple systems in the Atlantic Ocean, with particular attention given to a developing tropical system in the Caribbean Sea that poses a potential threat to the United States. This advisory comes as part of the NHC’s ongoing efforts to keep the public informed during the hurricane season.

As of 5 p.m. on Monday, Tropical Storm Kirk was located approximately 800 miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands, carrying sustained winds of 60 mph while moving at 12 mph. The NHC forecast predicts that Kirk will strengthen into a major hurricane in the central tropical Atlantic Ocean in the coming days. The projected path suggests a northward curve into the Atlantic, presenting no immediate threat to the U.S.

In contrast, there is significant interest in a system within the Caribbean Sea, described by NHC as a “broad area of low pressure,” which could potentially develop into a tropical depression within the week as it moves toward the Gulf of Mexico. AccuWeather Senior Director of Forecasting Operations, Dan DePodwin, stated that high pressure over the eastern United States next week could influence the system’s path, though it is too early to predict specifics.

Forecasters emphasize the importance of vigilance for residents from Mexico to the U.S. Gulf Coast. Dr. Ryan Truchelut, a meteorologist with WeatherTiger, highlighted the plausibility of this system becoming a second threat to the Gulf Coast, urging continuous monitoring.

While former Hurricane Isaac has become post-tropical and poses no U.S. threat, and Tropical Depression Joyce is weakening, attention remains on other developing systems, including one near the African coast that may evolve into a tropical depression as it moves westward.

In addition, the National Hurricane Center outlines that advisories are usually issued for named storms; however, they prioritize warnings for formations near land, even if unnamed, to provide residents ample preparation time. The Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30, sees peak activity from mid-August to mid-October, a period marked by heightened storm vigilance.