Editor’s note: This article was published Monday morning. Click here for the latest information on Tropical Storm Kirk and other tropical storms.
Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center are tracking five separate systems in the Atlantic Ocean, including the newly formed Tropical Storm Kirk, but the real concern for the United States and the storm-hit Southeast is one. Only one.
The hurricane center said Monday that the most likely impact to the United States is in the Caribbean. Environmental conditions appear suitable for the gradual development of the system, with a “widespread low pressure system” over the ocean producing chaotic showers and thunderstorms.
“Tropical cyclone formation is possible within a few days while the cyclone remains over the southern Gulf of Mexico or northwestern Caribbean Sea,” the center said.
Development of this system will be slower than previously thought: “Stakeholders in the northwestern Caribbean and along the U.S. Gulf Coast should continue to monitor the progress of this system, but the timeline for potential development is late. to this weekend,” the center said in an advisory Monday morning.
The center says there is a 40% chance that the system will form in the next seven days.
AccuWeather forecasters said Monday that the highest risk of large and excessive rainfall from this system will likely be across Florida, but this could change as the system develops. said.
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atlantic storm tracker
Tropical Storm Joyce and Tropical Storm Isaac continue to weaken
The Hurricane Center said Monday that Tropical Storm Joyce is expected to continue weakening over the next 48 hours, becoming a residual tropical depression late Monday and likely dissipating by Wednesday.
Tropical Storm Isaac was located about 815 miles north-northwest of the Azores on Monday morning and is expected to turn northwest at a similar forward speed on Tuesday, the center said.
“A gradual decline is expected over the next few days,” the center said in a statement Monday morning. Isaac is expected to become a post-tropical storm late Monday.
Kirk predicts ‘large and powerful’ hurricane later this week
The last storm the hurricane center is tracking is Tropical Storm Kirk, which formed in the eastern Atlantic Ocean Monday morning.
The hurricane center said Monday morning that “general west to west-northwest motion” is expected to continue into Tuesday, with a gradual turn to the northwest by Wednesday.
The system’s maximum sustained wind speeds are expected to be around 45 mph, with higher gusts and “steadily increasing strength,” the center said. This storm could become a hurricane by Tuesday night or Wednesday.
Current prediction models show the system turning north toward the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, well away from the United States.
Gabe Hauari is USA TODAY’s national trends news reporter. You can follow him at X @gabehauari Or email Gdhauari@gannett.com.