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New disturbance forms over Gulf of Mexico as 2 other tropical waves trek across Atlantic: NHC

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Updated  August 30, 2024 8:23pm EDT
Hurricanes
FOX 35 Orlando

Orlando Weather Forecast: Aug. 30, 2024

It will be a hot and humid Labor Day weekend with scattered afternoon storms.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is tracking multiple tropical waves – two in the Atlantic Ocean and another in the Gulf of Mexico.

A broad disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico is being monitored for potential tropical development. This is causing scattered storms with moderate to heavy rain across much of the central to northern Gulf of Mexico, mainly off the Texas and Louisiana coasts. Scattered storms with frequent lightning and gusty winds will continue in the northwest and north-central Gulf through the weekend. With little in the way of winds to steer the system, storms are expected to meander near the coast through much of next week. 

Right now, the NHC only gives low odds (20%) of development into at least a tropical depression within the next week. The agency warned that heavy rains could cause flash flooding along portions of the Louisiana and upper Texas coasts regardless of tropical development over the next few days.

The NHC said another disturbance in the Atlantic Ocean now has a 40% chance of further development over the next seven days, downgraded from 50%. This suggests it may take longer to develop, putting Mexico and the Caribbean in play for more significant impacts as far as its ultimate track, according to FOX 35 Storm Team Meteorologist Brooks Garner.

The wave continues to produce disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Still, it could become a tropical depression next week as it approaches the Lesser Antilles islands and continues across the Caribbean Sea through mid-next week. 

If it becomes a tropical storm or hurricane, the next name on the list is Francine – the sixth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. 

To the east of the tropical disturbance, a third tropical wave was located between the west coast of Africa and the Cabo Verde Islands. This system is associated with some scattered storms with moderate rain, but it is not expected to develop into anything more substantial over the next seven days. It currently has a low – 20% – chance of further development.

"Some slow development of this system is possible through late next week while it moves slowly to the west-northwest over the eastern and central tropical Atlantic," the NHC said.

Any impact on Florida?

It's still too early to tell whether any of these systems will impact the state, but the FOX 35 Storm Team will continue to monitor developments. Many factors will influence where these waves travel and their intensity. 

The peak of hurricane season is September 10, so an uptick in tropical activity is expected and normal.

2024 Atlantic hurricane storm names

Twenty-one names make up the list for the Atlantic Ocean. 

Here are the 2024 hurricane names with pronunciations: 

  • Alberto (al-BAIR-toe)
  • Beryl (BEHR-ril)
  • Chris (kris)
  • Debby (DEH-bee)
  • Ernesto (er-NES-toh)
  • Francine (fran-SEEN)
  • Gordon (GOR-duhn)
  • Helene (heh-LEEN)
  • Isaac (EYE-zik)
  • Joyce (joys)
  • Kirk (kurk)
  • Leslie (LEHZ-lee)
  • Milton (MIL-ton)
  • Nadine (nay-DEEN)
  • Oscar (AHS-kur)
  • Patty (PAT-ee)
  • Rafael (rah-fah-ELL)
  • Sara (SAIR-uh)
  • Tony (TOH-nee)
  • Valerie (VAH-lur-ee)
  • William (WILL-yum)

If all of a season's names are used, an alternate name list includes an additional 21 names. Those names for the Atlantic season include, Adria, Braylen, Caridad, Deshawn, Emery, Foster, Gemma, Heath, Isla, Jacobus, Kenzie, Lucio, Makayla, Nolan, Orlanda, Pax, Ronin, Sophie, Tayshaun, Viviana, and Will.

When does hurricane season end?

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30 in the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico. 

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