Storm tracker: Disturbance in Atlantic could bring heavy rains to East Coast this week
The National Hurricane Center is currently keeping tabs on two tropical disturbances, including one in the Atlantic that could bring heavy rain to the coastal portions of the Carolinas late this week.
The hurricane center said early Wednesday morning that showers and thunderstorms located over the Florida peninsula, southeastern Georgia, and the northwestern portion of the Bahamas are associated with a "broad trough of low pressure" and that a "non-tropical low pressure area" is forecast to form from this system in the next couple of days.
"If the low spends time offshore, it could gradually develop some subtropical or tropical characteristics late this week," the hurricane center said, noting that regardless of development, periods of heavy rainfall are possible for coastal portions of the Carolinas through Friday.
Hurricane center forecasters give this system a 10% chance of development through the next seven days.
Meanwhile in the Pacific, an area of low pressure is expected to form offshore of the coast of southern Mexico late this week, according to the NHC. Environmental conditions are expected to be conducive for gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression is likely to form over the weekend as the system moves westward to west-northwestward.
The hurricane center gives this system a 70% chance of formation through the next seven days.
While the 2025 Pacific hurricane season began on May 15, the Atlantic season officially began on June 1 and will last through the end of November. Active hurricane weather typically peaks between mid-August and mid-October.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its prediction for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season on Thursday, May 22, predicting an above-average season, with 13 to 19 named storms and six to 10 hurricanes.
Storm tracker
This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.
How do hurricanes form?
Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression.
A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reaches 39 miles per hour. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.
Prepare now for hurricanes
Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it’s too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," NOAA recommends.
- Develop an evacuation plan: If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there.
- Assemble disaster supplies: Whether you’re evacuating or sheltering-in-place, you’re going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy aftermath, NOAA said.
- Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions: Contact your insurance company or agent now and ask for an insurance check-up to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and/or belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance doesn’t cover flooding, so you’ll need a separate policy for it. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program. Act now, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.
- Create a family communication plan: NOAA said to take the time now to write down your hurricane plan, and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places, and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation.
- Strengthen your home: Now is the time to improve your home’s ability to withstand hurricane impacts. Trim trees; install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and/or impact glass; seal outside wall openings.
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.