Forecasters track new Atlantic disturbance that could develop

After a brief lull in the Atlantic since Hurricane Ernesto, forecasters are monitoring for a new potential disturbance to develop in the central Atlantic.

An area of low pressure could develop in the central Atlantic in the next few days, the National Hurricane Center said Monday night. The environment is expected to be favorable for it to slowly develop by the weekend and early next week.

The disturbance is forecast to move west-northwest between 10 to 15 mph. As of 8 p.m., it has a 20% chance of developing in the next seven days.

Experts at Colorado State University issued a new forecast last week, predicting a normal amount of hurricane activity through Sept. 2.

Overall, CSU experts predict 23 named storms in the 2024 season, leaving the possibility of 18 more before the season ends on Nov. 30. The average number of named storms between 1991 to 2020 is 14.4.

The next named storm will be Francine.

Hurricane potential takes brief pause before ramp-up at end of August, forecasters say