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NHC: 2 tropical depressions likely to form while potential storm brews in Gulf of Mexico

By Dani Medina
Updated  August 17, 2023 6:29pm EDT
Weather
FOX 35 Orlando

Tropical depression could form over Gulf

Two tropical waves show signs of becoming better organized in the coming days. A third wave is expected to bring rain across the region on Saturday before moving over the Gulf of Mexico where it could become a tropical depression.

The National Hurricane Center is tracking two systems brewing in the Atlantic that could both form into a tropical depression, in addition to a potential third disturbance. 

TODAY'S WEATHER: Excessive heat, rain expected across Central Florida on Thursday 

Invest AL-99 could develop into tropical depression

One disturbance is an elongated trough of low pressure located about 900 miles west-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands, according to the NHC's latest update on Thursday. The system is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms and could develop into a tropical depression during the next several days as it moves toward the west-northwest at 10-15 mph across the central tropical Atlantic. 

There's a medium chance (40%) this system develops over the next two days and a medium chance (60%) it develops in the next week. 

Invest AL-98 could also form into a tropical depression

The NHC is also tracking a broad area of low pressure partially associated with a tropical wave that's producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms near and to the southwest of the Cape Verde Islands, the NHC said. 

It's expected to move toward the west-northwest or northwest at about 10 mph. 

A tropical depression could form over the weekend, but environmental conditions will become unfavorable early next week. 

This system has a 40% chance of forming in the next two days and a 60% chance of developing in the next week. 

Photo: National Hurricane Center

2023 HURRICANE SEASON: Forecasters now predict 'above normal' 2023 Atlantic hurricane season: Here's why  

NHC tracking another potential system off the coast of Texas

On Wednesday, the NHC started tracking a third potential disturbance brewing in the Gulf of Mexico, but it has yet to even form yet. 

A broad area of low pressure could form in the central or western Gulf as early as next week. It could develop further as it moves toward the west and approaches the western Gulf coastline by the middle of next week. 

There's a 30% chance this storm forms over the next week. 

According to the FOX 35 Storm Team, if enough moisture can gather and a few other elements phase together, development in this area will be possible. There's a small window of opportunity, however, before an encounter with land. 

Next hurricane name?

Should any of these storms develop into a tropical storm or stronger, the next name on the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season list is Emily, followed by Franklin.