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Tropical Disturbance Forms Ahead Of Hurricane Season's Start
The storm has little chance of forming over the next few days, but does serve as a reminder that it's time for Tampa Bay to get ready.
TAMPA BAY, FL — Mother Nature doesn’t necessarily know or care that the official start of the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season isn’t until June 1.
Case in point: a tropical disturbance that is currently kicking around in the western Atlantic Ocean. The area of showers and thunderstorms is near the Bahamas and “is associated with the interaction of an upper-level trough and a weakening cold front,” the National Hurricane Center wrote on Tuesday.
As of 3:35 p.m. Tuesday, the disturbance had a 0 percent chance of forming into a tropical cyclone over the next 48 hours. Forecasters have given it a 30 percent chance of strengthening over the next five days though.
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“Environmental conditions could become more conducive for some tropical or subtropical development by Friday,” hurricane center forecasters wrote.
On its present course, the storm is moving slowly west-northwestward. It is expected to gradually approach the southeastern United States over the next few days. Whether that means Florida might feel its effects remains a story for time to tell.
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The hurricane center isn’t expected to issue its next Special Tropical Weather Outlook report until 4 p.m. Wednesday. By then, it’s possible a clearer indication of the storm’s path might be known.
In the meantime, this is the time emergency operations managers across the Tampa Bay area urge local residents to prepare for hurricane season. Preparations should include creating a plan, understanding local evacuation zones and putting together a kit for emergency situations.
To find out more about hurricane season and storm preparation, read these related Patch stories:
- Hurricane Season 2016: Where To Find Local Information
- 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast Released
- Hurricane Season: How to Prepare
- Tampa Bay 'Ripe for Disaster,' Hurricane Experts Say
Tropical disturbances aside, the Tampa Bay area is in for a rather typical week heading into summer. Forecasters anticipate highs in the upper 80s to low 90s most days. Thunderstorms are also possible, especially in the afternoon hours a few days this week, especially Tuesday and Friday.
To keep up with what’s happening weather-wise in your neighborhood, visit your local Patch’s homepage.
Graphic courtesy of the National Hurricane Center
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