A system in the central Atlantic became a tropical depression Friday, and could soon be the season's next tropical storm and possibly first hurricane, forecasters said.
Tropical Depression Two had maximum sustained winds of 35 mph and was about 1,225 miles east-southeast of Barbados, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said.
The system was expected to move westward at 15 to 20 mph and approach the Lesser Antilles by the end of the weekend, the NHC said.
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It was expected to become a hurricane as it approached the Windward Islands, the NHC said. If it does become a named system, it would be named Beryl.
Early indications point to the system remaining to the south of Florida but it’s early and the system is quite far away. One model brings the system closer to Cuba by the 4th of July and does not bring any moisture into Florida.
Local
A second system far out in the Atlantic was also being watched, but had just a 20% chance of formation on Friday.
And a third system in the western Caribbean-Gulf of Mexico was being monitored but had a 30% chance of formation.
Alberto became the season's first tropical storm earlier this month, making landfall in Mexico.
Forecasters are predicting an "above-normal" 2024 hurricane season, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasting 17-25 named storms, 8-13 hurricanes and 4-7 major hurricanes.
An average season consists of 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes and 3 major hurricanes.
The season officially began June 1 and runs through November 30.
