‘Tropical Depression Could Form’ Later In Week: Forecasters

TAMPA, FL — As the National Hurricane Center continues to keep close tabs on an area of low pressure in the Atlantic Ocean, its forecasters say the system is showing signs of better organization. Gradual development over the next few days is anticipated.

Located about 700 miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands as of 2 p.m. Monday, July 3, the storm was nearly stationary in its position. Forecasters at the hurricane center expect the system to begin moving west-northwestward in the next day or so and to continue on that path through the week.

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“Gradual development of this system is likely, and a tropical depression could form later this week,” center forecasters wrote in their Tropical Weather Outlook report Monday afternoon. The storm has been given a 30 percent chance of further development in the next 48 hours. Those chances rise to 70 percent over the next five days.

Should the system gain enough steam to earn a moniker, it would become the fourth named storm of the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season. Tropical Storm Arlene formed before the season’s official June 1 start and quickly fizzled out. Tropical Storms Bret and Cindy formed in June.

While it’s still way too early to tell what, if any, impact the system might have on Florida or any part of the U.S. coastline, it serves as a reminder of the need to be prepared. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting an above-average number of named storms this year.

An average hurricane season produces about 12 named storms of which six become hurricanes. Three of those storms generally become major hurricanes.

“We cannot stop hurricanes, but we can prepare for them,” Ben Friedman, NOAA’s acting administrator, said in announcing his agency's prediction for the 2017 hurricane season.

Residents readying for the ongoing season can get tips and advice on the federal government’s Ready.gov website. Folks in the Tampa Bay area can also check out this related story: Hurricane Season 2017: What Tampa Bay Area Residents Need To Know.

Graphic courtesy of the National Hurricane Center