Areas of Concern Under Watch in the Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea

Despite the dire predictions earlier in the season, the tropics have not sprung to life with quite as much velocity as the experts had warned. However, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) is now monitoring multiple potential areas of future development as the season nears its historical peak.

Tropics Heating Up as Season Nears its Historical Peak of Activity

The peak day of activity for named tropical weather events in the Atlantic is September 10. But it has been over two weeks since the last time that a named storm has been alive in the Atlantic basin.

The NHC is currently watching one possible area of concern in the Caribbean and two more zones showing signs of development behind it in the central and eastern portions of the Atlantic Ocean. The tropical wave spinning in the central part of the Caribbean Sea is generating disorganized areas of rain showers and thunderstorms as it moves to the west.

There is a chance that this system could take on tropical characteristics later this week when it moves into the northwestern Caribbean Sea. This track would take it to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula or into Belize. Forecasters said that this system could also take a track that would take it into the southwestern Gulf of Mexico early next week. Should this happen, the cluster of activity would likely meet up with the necessary atmospheric conditions to support further strengthening.

Stable air circulating over the Caribbean is currently mitigating its development. However, the system is still expected to produce locally heavy rain and high winds to parts of Jamaica, Mexico, and Central America. The U.S. would see impacts if it eventually emerges in the Gulf of Mexico.

Areas of Development in the Atlantic