A storm system in the Atlantic could strengthen into a tropical depression as it heads toward the Caribbean later this week, according to the National Hurricane Center — the latest storm in what is already an "above-normal" hurricane season.
The area of low pressure is bringing "disorganized showers and thunderstorms" to the central Atlantic, the hurricane center said in an update Tuesday morning. The system, now called AL94, is expected to move westward toward the Caribbean, where environmental conditions can allow it to develop toward the middle or the end of the week.
"A tropical depression could form as the system begins moving west-northwestward and approaches or moves near the Leeward Islands late this week," the center said. The Leeward Islands include the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Saint Martin, Anguilla, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua and Barbuda.
A tropical depression is a storm with maximum sustained winds of 38 mph, according to the National Weather Service. There is a 50% chance a depression will form in the next seven days, the hurricane center said.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted an “above-normal” hurricane season this year, with eight to 13 hurricanes and 17 to 25 named storms. Storms get names when their wind speeds reach 39 mph or higher.
The 2024 hurricane season has already produced nine hurricanes, including four major hurricanes, and 13 named storms, NBC Miami reported. Five hurricanes have already made landfall in the U.S., including Category 4 Helene and Category 3 Milton, which have left communities in the Southeast reeling.
About seven weeks are still left in the hurricane season.
