New storm may develop in Gulf of Mexico later this week
After Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida last week — leaving millions without power, many without homes, and several dead — another system is making its way towards the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
Other than the new tropical system west of the Cabo Verde Islands, which is unlikely to develop over the next couple of days, the Atlantic basin appears quiet. The National Hurricane Center is also reporting on an early-season cold front moving through the Gulf of Mexico.
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Here’s what we know from the center’s latest advisory.
NHC tracking AL94 and another system
Al94: An area of low pressure west of the Cabo Verde Islands is producing some disorganized showers and thunderstorms. However, with the system located in a dry environment, chances of development over the next two days are low.
However, as AL94 moves westward into the Gulf of Mexico, the warmer waters may offer more favorable conditions for development. Moving west-northwestward near the Leeward Islands, a tropical depression could form by the middle or latter part of the week.
- Formation chance through 48 hours: Low, 10 percent.
- Formation chance through 7 days: Medium, 60 percent.
Western Caribbean Sea: Another broad area of low pressure is likely to develop over the southwestern Caribbean Sea by the middle or latter part of the week. If the system remains over water, further development is possible afterward. It is moving slowly west-northwestward towards the northern part of Central America. Regardless of development, the system may bring heavy rainfall to portions of Central America later in the week.
- Formation chance through 48 hours: Low, near 0 percent.
- Formation chance through 7 days: Low, 20 percent.
Where is AL94 heading?
AL94 is forecasted to move west or west-southwestward in the coming days, according to the NHC. The environment could become more favorable towards the middle or end of the week for gradual development.
A tropical depression could form as AL94 moves west-northwestward and nears the Leeward Islands, around 350 miles southeast of Puerto Rico, towards the end of the week.
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This story was updated to reflect changes in the latest update by the National Hurricane Center.
— USA TODAY contributed to this report.
