Forecasters tracking ' large wave' that could become Tropical Storm Debby
The National Hurricane Center is tracking a "large tropical wave" in the Atlantic Ocean that could develop into Tropical Storm Debby later this week or over the weekend, potentially near Florida or the Southeast U.S.
In an advisory Wednesday, the NHC said the wave is currently located a couple hundred miles east of the Lesser Antilles and is producing "some shower and thunderstorm activity."
Environmental conditions are forecast to gradually become more conducive for development while the system moves west-northwestward over the southwestern Atlantic, according to the hurricane center, and a tropical depression could form late this week or over the weekend.
The center says interests in the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas and the southeastern U.S. should monitor the progress of this system, which it gives a 60% chance of formation over the next seven days.
Meteorologists say the system will be slow to develop because of the dry, dusty air that's being pulled into the storm, along with potential interaction with mountainous islands in the Caribbean.
Hello, Debby?
If its winds reach 39 mph, the system would receive the name Tropical Storm Debby, and it would be the fourth named storm of what's predicted to be an extremely active 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.
August, September and October are usually considered the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, according to Weather.com. This is because water temperatures are often at their warmest, wind shear is at its lowest and humidity has increased across the basin, all of which contribute to hurricane formation.
Atlantic storm tracker
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When is the Atlantic hurricane season?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
The peak of the season is Sept. 10, and the most activity happens from mid-August to mid-October, according to the Hurricane Center.
Contributing: Cheryl McCloud, Paste BN Network-Florida
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at Paste BN. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.