Tropical disturbance detected in Atlantic ahead of hurricane season's official start: NHC
UPDATE: The National Hurricane Center is no longer tracking this disturbance.
Original story continues below:
The National Hurricane Center tracked a disturbance in the distant Atlantic Ocean – over a month from the official start of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.
The area of low pressure was located about 900 miles northwest of the Cape Verde Islands and is producing small, but persistent, showers and thunderstorms, according to a 4 p.m. update Wednesday. The system was expected to move toward the southwest at 10 to 15 mph into an area of stronger upper-level winds later on Wednesday and into Thursday.
As of Thursday morning, additional development is not expected.
The NHC said no other "special" weather outlooks are scheduled for this system unless the conditions warrant an update.
4 pm EDT Apr. 24: We are monitoring an area of low pressure over the east-central Atlantic. The low is forecast to move into an area of stronger upper-level winds tonight and tomorrow, and additional development is not expected.
More info at https://t.co/aZJDSBgcNn pic.twitter.com/DNtVXg4Ocy— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) April 24, 2024
News of this tropical disturbance comes weeks after weather researchers from Colorado State University predict the upcoming hurricane season will be "extremely active." This is due to record sea surface temperatures and La Nina development.
Researchers predict 23 named storms, 11 hurricanes (Category 3 or higher) and five major hurricanes.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. The first storm name on tap is Alberto.
