ORLANDO, Fla. – As we move into hurricane season, we are beginning to watch a potential area of tropical development that could emerge in the Gulf by the middle of June.
CURRENT SETUP
While the Atlantic is currently quiet, some tropical models are picking up on chances that a tropical low may develop near the western Caribbean and southern Gulf by mid-June.
This new development is expected to stem from a common June weather pattern in the Caribbean, called the Central American Gyre. This broad area of low pressure can sometimes help spark up early-season tropical activity. While this broad area can occasionally spin up tropical lows, they often remain weak and disorganized.
TROPICAL DEVELOPMENT
At this point, forecast models are showing an increase in tropical moisture and storminess near the Yucatán Peninsula and southern Gulf by the second weekend of June.
If anything were to develop, the most likely outcome right now would be a tropical depression as chances for a named tropical storm appear less likely.
Regardless of whether development occurs, this setup could eventually bring an increase in tropical moisture and rainfall to parts of the Gulf Coast, including Florida.
TAKEAWAYS
This is something to watch, not something to worry about. Remember, watching the tropics is part of the process, and it does not automatically mean a threat is developing.
The News 6 Weather Team will continue tracking the latest trends and will keep you updated as we get a better handle on the forecast in the days ahead.