ORLANDO, Fla. – After nearly three quiet weeks during the peak of hurricane season, the Atlantic is showing signs of life again.
Tropical Storm Gabrielle has formed in the central Atlantic, with another disturbance not far behind.
[VIDEO BELOW: TS Gabrielle forms. Here’s what to expect]
Tropical Storm Gabrielle
Tropical Depression 7 officially developed early Wednesday and later became Tropical Storm Gabrielle, roughly halfway between the Cabo Verde and Windward islands.
Gabrielle has a poorly-defined center and is moving erratically northwest to west-northwest at 22 mph. It has maximum sustained winds of 45 mph.
As of Wednesday morning, a turn to the northwest is expected soon as it interacts with an upper low to its north.
Confidence is high that this system will stay well east of the Windward and Leeward islands and likely curve out to sea before threatening land.
Gradual strengthening is expected due to some wind shear and dry air nearby. But by the weekend, conditions may become more favorable, and Gabrielle could strengthen into a hurricane.
[VIDEO BELOW: How to track tropics on News 6 Weather App]
Another Disturbance
Meanwhile, another tropical wave just southeast of the Cabo Verde Islands has a low-end chance of development over the next few days as it tracks west over the next few days.
As of Wednesday morning, the National Hurricane Center was giving it a 10% chance of development over the next 48 hours and a 20% over the next seven days.
Hurricane season ends Dec. 1.