NHC Tracks 3 Brewing Threats in Atlantic: What You Need to Know Now
Tropical Weather Update: Three Atlantic Areas Being Watched by Hurricane Experts
Latest Update: Saturday, 8 p.m. NHC Advisory
Source: National Hurricane Center via WESH 2 News
Reporter: Brandon Hogan
What’s Happening in Simple Terms
Think of the Atlantic Ocean like a big pot of soup. Right now, meteorologists (weather scientists) are watching three different spots where the "soup" might start bubbling up into tropical storms or hurricanes. The good news? None of these areas currently threaten Central Florida.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) — the official U.S. government team that tracks tropical weather — released their 8 p.m. Saturday update showing slightly higher chances for two of the three areas.
The Three Areas Being Watched
1. Northeastern Atlantic
Location: Several hundred miles west of Portugal
What it is: A strong non-tropical low-pressure system (think of it as a spinning storm that hasn’t become tropical yet)
Movement: East-southeast at 10–15 mph toward Portugal and northwestern Spain
Timeline: Could gain subtropical or tropical traits tonight or Sunday, but unfavorable conditions should stop development by Sunday night
| Timeframe | Formation Chance |
|---|---|
| Next 48 hours | 20% |
| Next 7 days | 20% |
2. Central Subtropical Atlantic
Location: A few hundred miles east-southeast of Bermuda
What it is: A broad area of low pressure with showers and thunderstorms
Movement: Drifting westward Sunday, then accelerating northward early next week
Outlook: Slow development possible over the next few days
| Timeframe | Formation Chance |
|---|---|
| Next 48 hours | 20% |
| Next 7 days | 30% (up slightly) |
3. Eastern Tropical Atlantic
Location: Expected to move off the west coast of Africa on Monday
What it is: A tropical wave — a ripple of low pressure that often seeds tropical storms
What happens next: An area of low pressure could form soon after it moves off the coast
Movement: Westward at 15–20 mph across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic
Potential: A tropical depression could form by mid-to-late next week
| Timeframe | Formation Chance |
|---|---|
| Next 48 hours | Near 0% |
| Next 7 days | 40% (highest of the three) |
IMPORTANT POINT
None of these systems currently pose a risk to Central Florida.
However, it’s always smart to stay informed during hurricane season (June 1 – November 30).
How to Stay Informed & Prepared
Quick Actions You Can Take Right Now
- Download the WESH 2 News App → Get real-time weather alerts on your phone
Download Link - Follow the First Warning Weather Team — Your local experts:
- Tony Mainolfi (Chief Meteorologist)
- Eric Burris
- Cam Tran
- Victoria Wisniewski
- Luke Vickery
- Bookmark the NHC Website → nhc.noaa.gov — The official source
Helpful Hurricane Season Resources
| Resource | What You’ll Find |
|---|---|
| Hurricane Supplies Checklist | What to pack in your emergency kit |
| Florida Hurricane Survival Guide | Step-by-step prep for before/during/after |
| Long-Range 2026 Forecast | Seasonal outlook from WESH meteorologists |
| Insurance Guide | What your policy should cover |
| Generator Safety Tips | How to run a generator without danger |
| Post-Storm Help | Where to get aid after a storm hits |
Summary: What You Need to Know
| Key Takeaway | Details |
|---|---|
| Three systems | Being monitored in the Atlantic |
| No Florida threat | None currently endanger Central Florida |
| Highest chance | Eastern Tropical Atlantic (40% over 7 days) |
| Timeline | Next 7 days — especially mid-to-late next week |
| Action item | Stay alert, download alerts, review your plan |
Bottom line: This is routine monitoring — exactly what the NHC does every day during hurricane season. No panic needed. Just awareness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What’s the difference between a "tropical wave," "low pressure," and "tropical depression"?
Tropical wave = A ripple of low pressure moving west across the tropics (like a seed).
Low pressure = Air rising and spinning — the engine of storms. Can be tropical (warm core) or non-tropical (cold core).
Tropical depression = An organized tropical system with winds ≤38 mph. It gets a number (like "Tropical Depression 4"). Next step up: Tropical Storm (39–73 mph), then Hurricane (74+ mph).
Why are the 48-hour and 7-day chances different?
The 48-hour chance = "Will this organize soon?"
The 7-day chance = "Will this organize eventually as it moves?"
Example: The Eastern Tropical Atlantic wave is just leaving Africa — so 48-hour chance is near 0%, but once it’s over warm water for a few days, the 7-day chance rises to 40%.
What does "subtropical" mean?
A subtropical storm is a hybrid — it has some tropical traits (warm center, thunderstorms near center) but also some non-tropical traits (cold upper air, wind field spread out). It can become fully tropical if it spends enough time over warm water.
Should I change my weekend plans?
No. None of these systems threaten land in the next 5+ days. The Northeastern Atlantic system may bring rough seas to Portugal/Spain, but that’s it. Go enjoy your weekend — just keep an eye on updates if you have travel plans next week.
When will we know more?
The NHC issues full advisories every 6 hours (5 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m., 11 p.m. EDT) and special updates as needed.
WESH 2 broadcasts updates on-air and pushes alerts via their app. That’s the fastest way to know if anything changes.
Final Thought
Weather is like a forecast for a picnic — you don’t cancel the picnic because clouds appear. You watch, you prepare, and you adapt.
Right now, we’re just watching clouds on the horizon. Stay calm. Stay ready. Stay tuned to WESH 2.
Article based on NHC 8 p.m. Saturday advisory. Conditions can change — always check the latest official forecast.