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National Hurricane Center monitors the system in the Atlantic Ocean

Vaseline October 14, 2024

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, but the season is most active from August to October.

Less than a week after Hurricane Milton passed through Florida, a new tropical depression could form in the Atlantic Ocean by the end of the week, forecasters said Monday.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami is monitoring an “area of active weather” west of the Cape Verde Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, with a 50% chance of forming this week.

The NHC is “monitoring” the low-pressure area called AL94, Anthony Reynes, a senior forecaster with the National Weather Service in Miami, told USA TODAY Monday morning.

Reynes called the system a “potential storm,” but noted that a storm is unlikely to form this week.

“This system is currently embedded in an adverse environment and no development is expected in the coming days,” the NHC said in a statement.

According to the NHC, AL94 has a 10% chance of forming in the next 48 hours, and a 50% chance of forming in the next 7 days.

Map of power outages in Florida: More than 400,000 people are still in the dark due to the aftermath of Hurricane Milton

Atlantic storm tracker

Where is AL94 going?

According to the NHC, AL94 is expected to move toward the west or west-southwest direction in the coming days. By the middle or end of the week, the climate could become more favorable for gradual development.

A tropical depression could form as AL94 moves west-northwestward and approaches the Leeward Islands, about 350 miles southeast of Puerto Rico, by the end of the week.

Forecasters are also keeping an eye on the Caribbean system

Although not yet on the official NHC forecast map, private meteorologists were also monitoring another area for potential tropical development: AccuWeather meteorologists believe there is a moderate risk of tropical development in the western Caribbean between October 17 and 19.

As for where the potential Caribbean storm would head, “one possibility would take the system westward into Central America and southern Mexico, and the other is unfortunately toward Florida,” said AccuWeather hurricane expert Alex DaSilva.

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. You can contact her at LinkedInfollow her further X, formerly Twitter, Instagram And TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at [email protected]