Odds higher for Atlantic storm to form as hurricane center tracks 2 systems

The National Hurricane Center is keeping track of two systems with a chance to develop into a tropical depression or storm.

Odds are higher for an area of low pressure expected to develop in the central subtropical Atlantic.

The system along a frontal boundary is nontropical, but is forecast to move southeast across the Atlantic into warmer seas in the next few days.

“Environmental conditions appear conducive for this system to gradually acquire tropical characteristics. A subtropical or tropical storm could form by the latter part of this week, as the system continues moving eastward followed by a turn northeastward by the weekend,” forecasters said.

The NHC gives it a 20% chance to develop in the next two days and 60% chance in the next seven.

If it were to gain enough strength it could become Tropical or Subtropical Storm Vince.

The NHC is also tracking an area of low pressure with disorganized showers and thunderstorms in the central Caribbean Sea.

“Nearby dry air is forecast to prevent additional significant development of the system as it begins to drift slowly westward during the next couple of days,” forecasters said.

The NHC gives it a 10% chance to develop in the next two to seven days.

The official 2023 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1-Nov. 30.

The season has seen 21 official storms including an unnamed subtropical storm in January outside of the official season, but still part of the year’s tally.

Of the 20 systems since June 1, 19 have become named storms leaving only Vince and Whitney left on the 21-letter list provided by the World Meteorological Organization. A supplemental list would have to be used if more named storms form starting with Adria.

The above average hurricane season also had seven hurricanes, three of which formed into major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher, including Hurricane Idalia that struck Florida’s Big Bend region in August.