TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The National Hurricane Center is monitoring Hurricane Nigel and two areas in the Atlantic that have the potential to develop later this week and into the weekend.

On Thursday, forecasters began issuing advisories for the disturbance, Potential Tropical Cyclone 16, which now has a 60% chance of development over the next two days. It is expected to become a tropical storm as it approaches the coast of North Carolina.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

  • Cape Fear, N.C. to Fenwick Island, Del.
  • Chesapeake Bay south of Smith Point
  • Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for:

  • Surf City, N.C. to Chincoteague, Va.
  • Chesapeake Bay south of Smith Point
  • Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds

Meteorologists said the low will likely bring gusty winds, heavy rain and high surf to portions of the southeast and mid-Atlantic late this week and into the weekend.

The system will bring in dry air to the Tampa Bay area on Saturday and through most of Sunday. The NHC gave the system a 60% chance of development over the next seven days.

A tropical wave located near the Cabo Verde Islands has a high chance of developing over the next seven days, according to the NHC.

Meteorologists said the tropical wave is expected to merge with another disturbance located a few hundred miles to its west in a few days.

Forecasters believe the system could become a tropical depression later this week or this weekend while it moves westward across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic. The system has a 80% chance of development over the next seven days.

The NHC is still monitoring Hurricane Nigel, which is barely clinging to hurricane status with 75 mph winds. Forecasters said it should become a post-tropical cyclone Thursday night or early Friday.

Nigel is moving toward the east-northeast near 37 mph and is expected to continue moving quickly over the next day or so.

Swells from Nigel are still affecting Bermuda. The swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. The swells should gradually subside through Thursday night.