A tropical disturbance continued its northern journey Friday with increased odds of development along the U.S. East Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The area of elongated pressure, producing showers and thunderstorms is located 200 miles off Cape Hatteras, N.C., the NHC said in its 8 p.m. update.
The NHC increased the system’s odds of developing into the next tropical depression to 40% over the next two to five days as upper level winds are thought to become more gentle by Sunday for a brief time, the NHC said.
If it does develop, it would be named Tropical Storm Wanda, which is the last name on the World Meteorological Organization’s 2021 list. Regardless, the system is moving east at 5 mph and should bring showers to the Carolinas.
So far, there have been 20 named storms this season. If Wanda develops and another storm forms after it, the WMO would begin using a supplemental name list starting with the name Adria.
While the tropics appear to be calming down, Colorado State University scientists are calling for an above-normal level of hurricane activity for the next two weeks. Typically, after Oct. 15, the Atlantic begins to cool down, and the window of opportunity for tropical development comes to a close, according to data by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The hurricane season runs through Nov. 30.
Jpedersen@orlandosentinel.com
