Tracking the Tropics: Chances of seeing first named storm of 2020 increasing

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Chances are increasing that we will see a tropical or subtropical storm in the coming days.

The Atlantic hurricane season doesn’t officially start until June 1 but it is now likely we will see a preseason storm. The National Hurricane Center has been monitoring an area of low pressure that’s currently producing cloudiness and thunderstorms over the Straits of Florida.

As of Thursday afternoon, the NHC says there’s a 70 percent chance the system will develop within the next 48 hours. There’s a slightly-higher 80 percent chance it will develop within the next five days.

“As an area of showers and storms moves near and just north of the Bahamas, environmental conditions will be conducive for a weak tropical storm to form,” Storm Team 8 Meteorologist Amanda Holly said. “It will bring heavy rain and potentially tropical-storm-force wind gusts to the Florida Keys, Southeast Florida and the Bahamas during the next couple of days.”

The system is likely to become a tropical or subtropical depression this weekend when it’s located near or north of the northwestern Bahamas, the NHC says.

“It’s not really organized at this time but it will likely get organized into our first named storm of the season,” Holly said. “All of that tropical moisture is going to slowly slide to the north and move into an area that’s relatively favorable for strengthening.”

The first named storm of 2020 will be given the name Arthur.

Hurricane season doesn’t officially start until June 1 but preaseason tropical development is never out of the question.

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