Atlantic remains hotbed of activity as Gulf Coast faces threat of another tropical system
The National Hurricane Center is closely monitoring several areas, including a potential threat to the Gulf of Mexico. Meanwhile, Tropical Depression 12 is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by mid-week in the Atlantic.
Storm-weary Gulf Coast keeping close eye on next threat
A disturbance that's headed for the Gulf of Mexico this week is just one of several areas being tracked across the Atlantic Ocean.
MIAMI – As the Southeast continues to grapple with Hurricane Helene's aftermath, the Gulf Coast is now facing the threat of another tropical system.
The FOX Forecast Center said a similar weather pattern to the one that spawned Helene is developing in the western Caribbean, raising concerns about the potential for another storm to form and enter the Gulf.
While the overall pattern resembles that of Helene, several key differences suggest a potentially weaker storm. The Central American Gyre (CAG), a crucial factor in Helene's development, is not as strong this time, the FOX Forecast Center said.
Tropical Depression 12 becomes Kirk
Tropical Depression Twelve recently formed in the eastern Atlantic and became Tropical Storm Kirk on Monday. The system is currently moving westward, but a change in steering currents may cause it to track more northward later this week.
Conditions are favorable for strengthening, with low wind shear and warm ocean temperatures. However, the storm's inner core may need time to develop fully, potentially slowing its initial intensification. Computer models suggest Kirk could become a hurricane within a couple of days and a major hurricane this week.
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Eastern tropical Atlantic disturbance slowly organizes
Another disturbance will slowly organize to the east of the quickly developing Tropical Depression Twelve in the coming days.
Upper-level winds are forecast to become more conducive for the gradual development of this system, and a tropical depression could form during the middle or latter part of this week while it moves slowly westward or west-northwestward over the eastern tropical Atlantic.
Long-range forecasts show the storm potentially becoming a hurricane in five to seven days. It is too soon to say whether it will affect land.
Tropical Depression Joyce to weaken further
Joyce is on its last legs as wind shear continues to rip apart the system. The storm should degenerate into a remnant area of low pressure sometime Monday.
Isaac forecast to become post-tropical
Isaac continues to show signs of transitioning into an extratropical storm on Monday.
The thunderstorms around its center have mostly dissipated, and the system appears to be developing warm and cold fronts, the FOX Forecast Center said. The storm could complete its transition to an extratropical storm before being absorbed into a larger low-pressure system over the North Atlantic in the coming days.