National Hurricane Center Raises Odds of Caribbean System Developing into Tropical Storm This Week

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has revised its forecast, indicating an increased likelihood of a Caribbean system developing into the upcoming season's tropical depression or storm. The NHC's latest tropical outlook stated that a tropical wave in the central Caribbean Sea is generating disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Current environmental conditions appear to be favorable for development, suggesting that a tropical depression is likely to form by the end of the week as the system gradually moves westward into the western Caribbean Sea. Following this, the disturbance is anticipated to meander over the western Caribbean Sea through the weekend before beginning a slow, generally northwestward movement by early next week.

Increased Odds of Development

The NHC has assigned a 40% chance of development in the next two days and an 80% chance of development in the next seven days, marking an increase from earlier predictions. If the system intensifies to tropical-storm strength, it may be designated as Tropical Storm Sara.

2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season Statistics

As of now, the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has witnessed 17 named storms, 11 of which have evolved into hurricanes, with five of those classified as major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or above. The most recent hurricane to be tracked, Hurricane Rafael, dissipated over the weekend in the central Gulf of Mexico following its impact on Cuba last week.

The official hurricane season spans from June 1 to November 30.