TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A tropical depression is expected to form sometime this week in the western Caribbean Sea, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The area of low pressure resembles a similar path to Hurricane Helene, which charged rapidly through Florida and the southern region of the U.S., leaving at least 64 dead as of Saturday night.
Over the next few days, gradual development of this potential disturbance is expected, and a tropical depression “could form” around the middle part of the week, NHC said on Sunday. As of the 8 a.m. update, it has a 50% chance of development over the next seven days.
“It appears as though this will stay well to the west of the Bay Area, but of course, we will continue to monitor this system,” Max Defender 8 Meteorologist Eric Stone said.
As it is forecasted to move northwestward into the Gulf of Mexico, the hurricane center advises the U.S. Gulf Coast to “monitor its progress.”
Hurricane Helene: 11 killed in storm-related incidents across Tampa Bay