Forecasters for the National Hurricane Center (NHC) are monitoring two areas of disturbed weather in the tropics that could develop into tropical depressions sometime this week, as well as a third system in the Atlantic.
Forecasters for the national hurricane center are closely monitoring three tropical systems, two of which have the potential to develop into tropical depressions sometime this week.
The first is an area of low pressure that is in the northern Gulf of Mexico, and currently spinning off the Florida Panhandle, south of Panama City. Currently, forecasters are giving the system a 40-60 percent chance of developing into a tropical depression before the system moves ashore on Monday, NOLA reported.
However, the stronger chance for development will occur after the system moves over land and back into the Atlantic Ocean later in the week.
“This system is expected to evolve into a larger low-pressure system and move northeastward, possibly emerging offshore of the Carolinas later this week where environmental conditions are expected to be more conducive for development,” according to a statement released by the NHC on Sunday, which gave the system a 40% chance of tropical development in the next five days.
The second system NHS forecasters are watching is a tropical wave that is currently about 700 miles east of the Windward Islands in the Caribbean Sea. However, according to forecasters, the development window for this system to develop into a tropical depression is narrow, and forecasters are giving it less than 40% chance of tropical development.
The third system that NHC forecasters were monitoring developed into the fifth named storm of the 2020 Atlantic basin hurricane season, and was christened “Tropical Storm Edouard.” As of 5 AM Monday, Edward was moving in the open Atlantic at 36 miles per hour in an eastward direction, away from the US, with maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour.
The system is not considered a threat to land. The system is anticipated to be short-lived and is expected to lose its tropical characteristics at some point on Monday, WFLA reported.
The most important thing anyone living in areas that can be affected by hurricanes should take away from this news – is to start getting prepared now.
Develop a family emergency plan. Start with planning and preparing your evacuation and communications strategy. Being able to stay in contact with your family is vital. Look for the cheapest phone plans, especially family plans that will ensure every member of your family has a cell phone so that you can stay in contact should you get separated.
Also make sure to have an emergency kit that has at least a 3 day supply of food and water, as well as a flashlight and backup battery chargers for your cell phone and a battery-powered or hand-cranked emergency weather radio.
The best source of information you can research online can be found at the national hurricane center. You can visit their hurricane preparedness page here at the National Hurricane Center’s preparedness page.
