Chances for tropical development have increased slightly for a tropical wave slowly moving north into the Gulf of Mexico, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The system could become the Atlantic basin’s next tropical depression or storm over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico by this weekend, according to AccuWeather.
Two factors will help determine whether the system becomes the next named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season: how fast it moves and how much time it spends over water as it moves north.
“Should the system stay over warm waters of the Gulf versus crawling along the coast of Mexico from Friday through Saturday, it could have enough time to organize, strengthen and reach tropical depression or storm status,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Matt Benz said.
Regardless of development, the system could bring showers and thunderstorms into South Texas over the weekend, about a week after another system brought 5 to 10 inches of rain to the same area.
Weather patterns over northern Africa this summer, the birthplace of many tropical systems, has so far inhibited the development of tropical waves. That may soon change.
Conditions over Africa are becoming conducive enough for more robust tropical waves, according to Dan Kottlowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist, and hurricane expert.
“It looks like a significant chance for tropical development near the Cabo Verde Islands next week,” Kottlowski said, “And, there could be more than one storm that tries to take shape.”
The Hurricane Center currently is monitoring two other tropical waves, both in the Atlantic Ocean.
The next named storm of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season will be Danielle.
Source: NOAA
