Forecasters Watching Tropical Disturbance Headed for Gulf

LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) - Parts of Louisiana and Texas may need to keep an eye out over the next two weeks as a tropical system begins to slowly develop in the Atlantic.

According to the most recent forecasts from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), "An area of disturbed weather over the central tropical Atlantic Ocean is expected to interact with an approaching tropical wave during the next several days."

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"Some development of this system will be possible while it approaches the Lesser Antilles during the early to middle part of next week and moves generally west-northwestward near the Greater Antilles toward the latter part of the week," the forecast also noted.

The system has a low chance of development over the next days - around a 20 percent chance. Meteorologist Ryan Maue noted on social media that the 7-day possibility is "generous at this point."

Hurricane Chris?

If the storm does develop enough to pick up a name, the next name up on the list is "Chris."

The last storm, Beryl, hit Mexico in early July and then moved into Texas, leaving millions without power.

South Louisiana Communities Flooding as Hurricane Beryl Makes Landfall

Here's the full list of names for the 2024 Hurricane Season:

• Alberto
• Beryl
• Chris
• Debby
• Ernesto
• Francine
• Gordon
• Helene
• Isaac
• Joyce
• Kirk
• Leslie
• Milton
• Nadine
• Oscar
• Patty
• Rafael
• Sara
• Tony
• Valerie
• William

The "Most Severe" Season on Record?

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its 2024 hurricane season forecast back in May, and the agency's prediction for this year is the most severe forecast on record.

"The upcoming Atlantic hurricane season is expected to have above-normal activity due to a confluence of factors, including near-record warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean, development of La Nina conditions in the Pacific, reduced Atlantic trade winds and less wind shear, all of which tend to favor tropical storm formation," NOAA said in its forecast.

The agency is predicting anywhere from 17 to 25 total named storms (storms with winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, they predict, 8 to 13 are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), and 4 to 7 of those will become major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher).

That forecast is the most severe outlook NOAA has ever given in its May hurricane season update, which comes out days before the season officially starts (June 1).

NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad said at a press conference on Thursday that the "Forecast for named storms, hurricanes and major hurricanes is the highest NOAA has ever issued for the May outlook."

“With another active hurricane season approaching, NOAA’s commitment to keeping every American informed with life-saving information is unwavering,” he also said in a press release. “AI-enabled language translations and a new depiction of inland wind threats in the forecast cone are just two examples of the proactive steps our agency is taking to meet our mission of saving lives and protecting property.”

"Severe weather and emergencies can happen at any moment, which is why individuals and communities need to be prepared today," FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik A. Hooks said in a statement. "Already, we are seeing storms move across the country that can bring additional hazards like tornadoes, flooding and hail. Taking a proactive approach to our increasingly challenging climate landscape today can make a difference in how people can recover tomorrow."