The National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued a warning on Saturday about the potential formation of a tropical depression in the northwestern Caribbean Sea, south of Cuba, for the upcoming week.
According to the report released on September 21, a broad area of low pressure is expected to develop between the northwestern Caribbean and the southeastern Gulf of Mexico early next week. Although there is a 0% chance of formation in the next 48 hours, the outlook changes as the days progress.
Increased Development Probability Over the Week
The NHC has indicated that there is a 60% chance that the system will evolve into a tropical depression over the next seven days, as it slowly moves north or northwest, potentially affecting the southern Gulf of Mexico. The system could gradually strengthen as it moves, driven by warm sea temperatures and decreasing vertical wind shear in the region, which are favorable conditions for tropical cyclone formation, according to the report.
Regional Alerts and Expert Warnings
Despite no immediate development forecasted, the situation has raised alerts in various areas of the region. Cuban meteorologist Raydel Ruisanchez also warned on social media about the potential formation of this phenomenon in the western Caribbean, urging the population to stay vigilant regarding the progress of this system. "Nothing has formed yet, but we will be watching closely to see if it materializes," he noted.
Active Hurricane Season Predictions
The 2024 hurricane season has been described as one of the most active in the past 30 years, with the possibility of up to 13 cyclones forming, according to reports from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The season, which began on June 1 and extends until November 30, has already seen the development of several tropical systems, and current conditions suggest it could remain active in the coming weeks.