Brewing Tropical Storm Otto to stir up surf along southeastern US coast

By Renee Duff for AccuWeather.com

A system in the western Atlantic may become the next tropical storm of the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season during the late week. The storm could bring coastal hazards to the eastern United States.

A cluster of showers and thunderstorms northeast of the Turks and Caicos Islands is the feature being closely monitored for development.

This area is favored for tropical development during late October, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Michael Doll.

Strong winds high in the atmosphere have inhibited the cluster of disturbed weather from organizing thus far. However, environmental conditions may become more favorable for development into the end of the week.

The next tropical storm in the Atlantic will be given the name Otto.

"Should development occur, the system will approach the southeastern coast of the U.S. at late week," Doll said.

However, a non-tropical system set to bring late-week rain to the East is expected to push the tropical feature away from the coast prior to reaching the U.S.

More from AccuWeather.com: Orionid meteor shower to dazzle onlookers as it peaks late this week

Despite the expected curve away from land, impacts from the system will be felt from the Bahamas to Bermuda and the U.S. east coast.

Areas across the southeastern Bahamas, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico will experience enhanced showers and thunderstorms and rough surf from the system through Thursday.

As the system makes a turn to the north-northwest, dangerous seas will begin spreading outward toward Bermuda and the Southeast coast.

US cities most vulnerable to hurricanes

"The system will act to disturb the ocean surface and send out waves to impact the Southeastern Seaboard as early as Friday morning," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Chyna Glenn.

More from AccuWeather.com: AccuWeather hurricane center

Rough surf and stronger, more frequent rip currents are expected from Florida to North Carolina to end the week.

Enhanced swells may reach the mid-Atlantic and New England coasts and the Canadian Maritimes this weekend.

Cruise and shipping interests venturing to and from Bermuda, the Bahamas and the East Coast should monitor the progress of this developing system over the coming days.

More from AccuWeather.com: Top 5 US cities most vulnerable to hurricanes

The system is expected to be swept away from the coast before impacts from rain and wind are felt across the Southeast. This is good news for those still reeling from flooding in the eastern Carolinas.

However, tropical moisture from the system may get pulled northward and enhance rainfall across drought-stricken New England and interior Northeast this weekend.

Elsewhere in the Atlantic, there are no other areas of immediate concern for tropical development.

The Atlantic hurricane season does not officially end until Nov. 30.

15 deadliest hurricanes to hit US

Advertisement