24 May 2018 | 02:18 PM UTC
Gulf of Mexico: Possible tropical storm forming
Tropical depression expected to form over Gulf of Mexico by May 26; heavy rain forecast for US gulf states and western Cuba
Event
A low pressure system with the potential to develop into a tropical depression or tropical storm is currently - as of 08:00 (local time) on Thursday, May 24 - located over the Yucatán Peninsula, near the Mexican-Belizean border. According to current predictions by the US-based National Hurricane Center, a tropical depression is expected form by the end of Saturday, when the system is over the Gulf of Mexico. It is then forecast to continue to move north until making landfall on the US Gulf Coast, somewhere between Florida and Louisiana. In any event, heavy rain is to be anticipated across western Cuba and the US Gulf Coast region in the coming days.
Context
The Atlantic Hurricane Season officially begins on June 1 and ends on November 30, with the largest concentration of storms typically occurring between August and October. Researchers are predicting slightly above-average hurricane season for 2018, with 14 named storms (i.e. hurricanes and tropical storms), seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes.
Advice
Individuals in the above areas are advised to follow local weather forecasts and adhere to any advice issued by regional authorities.
