Hurricane forecasters watching 3 tropical systems in Atlantic

Two of three systems being watched in the Atlantic could turn into tropical depressions by the end of the week, according to forecasters.

A broad area of low pressure in the central Atlantic has a 60% chance of becoming a tropical depression in the next two days, and an 80% chance in the next five days, according to an 8 p.m. update Tuesday from the National Hurricane Center.

The update said conditions ahead of the system are marginally favorable for development and forecasters are continuing to predict slow development for the storm. The disturbance is moving slowly toward the waters west of the Leeward Islands at 5 to 10 mph. Forecasters said there have been more showers and thunderstorms in this system since Monday.

Long-term forecasts predict the tropical wave is unlikely to impact Florida. At noon Tuesday, Spectrum Bay News 9′s spaghetti models showed the wave is expected to turn north over the Atlantic Ocean long before it reached the east of the United States. However, some projections show a path toward the Bahamas.

The second system — a tropical wave accompanied by an area of low pressure — is off the west coast of Africa. The wave has a 20% chance of becoming a tropical depression in the next two days and 40% in the next five days, according to the 8 p.m. update.

Forecasters say the storm could develop slowly as it moves across the Atlantic. However, by the end of the week, that tropical wave is expected to move over cooler waters, stopping the system’s development.

A third system also now is being watched, but it has low odds of development, according to the 8 p.m. update. Forecasters expect an area of low pressure located in the subtropical central Atlantic Ocean to form sometime over the next day or so. But they predict that it will move east, away from the United States. The disturbance is given a 10% chance of development in the next two days and 30% in the next five days.

Forecasters no longer are watching two other systems that had a small chance of forming Monday night.

• • •

2022 Tampa Bay Times Hurricane Guide

IT'S STORM SEASON: Get ready and stay informed at tampabay.com/hurricane.

RISING THREAT: Tampa Bay will flood. Here's how to get ready.

DOUBLE-CHECK: Checklists for building all kinds of hurricane kits

PHONE IT IN: Use your smartphone to protect your data, documents and photos.

SELF-CARE: Protect your mental health during a hurricane.

• • •

Rising Threat: A special report on flood risk and climate change

PART 1: The Tampa Bay Times partnered with the National Hurricane Center for a revealing look at future storms.

PART 2: Even weak hurricanes can cause huge storm surges. Experts say people don't understand the risk.

PART 3: Tampa Bay has huge flood risk. What should we do about it?

INTERACTIVE MAP: Search your Tampa Bay neighborhood to see the hurricane flood risk.