TAMPA, Fla. — The National Hurricane Center says Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine formed Monday in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to become the season's next named hurricane.
The NHC issued a cone Monday showing where forecast models expect the system to move. The Tampa Bay area is within the cone of uncertainty.
PTC 9 is expected to "strengthen significantly" over the next few days, becoming a hurricane by Wednesday. When the system gets a name, it'll be Helene.
As of the latest advisory, PTC 9 is about 100 miles southwest of Grand Cayman. It's moving north-northwest at 6 miles per hour with maximum sustained winds of 35 miles per hour.
Tropical storm warnings and hurricane watches have been issued for parts of Florida, Mexico and Cuba. A tropical storm watch has been issued for the lower Florida Keys, south of the Seven Mile Bridge.
A storm surge watch and tropical storm watch have been issued along the southwest coast of Florida from Bonita Beach to Flamingo.
While there is still some uncertainty, models are in better agreement that the system will strengthen while moving northward over the Gulf of Mexico. Although it is too soon to specify the exact location and magnitude, areas along the Florida Gulf Coast should prepare for potential impacts from storm surge, heavy rainfall and strong winds.
Now is the time to make sure your hurricane kit is ready and up to date.
10 Tampa Bay is also monitoring a wave off the west coast of Africa for possible development. This tropical wave is bringing no threat to land or Florida at this time.
What is a Potential Tropical Cyclone?
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a Potential Tropical Cyclone is what forecasters use to describe "a disturbance that is not yet a tropical cyclone, BUT poses the threat of bringing tropical storm or hurricane conditions to land areas within 48 hours."
If you're not familiar with the term, it may be because it wasn't something forecasters had until 2017. Before the term was implemented, NHC meteorologists weren't allowed to issue a hurricane or tropical storm watch or warning until after a tropical cyclone had formed.
Thanks to advances in forecasting technology, meteorologists now have a more accurate idea about how a tropical cyclone will impact land and can make predictions while the systems are still in the developmental stage.
We will continue to provide the latest information through your 10 Tampa Bay hurricane headquarters.