National Hurricane Center Monitoring Disturbance In Southwestern Gulf

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — The National Hurricane Center continues to monitor an area of low pressure in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, but development chances remain low over the coming days.

As of the Saturday morning Tropical Weather Outlook, forecasters noted that a broad area of low pressure located just offshore of eastern Mexico has become somewhat better organized compared to Friday. The system continues to produce areas of showers and thunderstorms across portions of the southwestern Gulf.

Despite the increase in organization, environmental conditions are expected to remain only marginally favorable for tropical development.

Development Chances Remain Low

The National Hurricane Center currently gives the system:

• 20% chance of tropical development during the next 48 hours
• 20% chance of tropical development during the next 7 days

Forecasters expect the disturbance to move inland over eastern Mexico sometime Sunday, which should limit any significant development in the short term.

Could Re-Emerge Later Next Week

While the system is expected to move inland, the National Hurricane Center notes that remnants of the disturbance could emerge back over the northwestern Gulf by Tuesday or Wednesday.

However, even if that occurs, conditions are expected to remain only marginally conducive for additional development as the system interacts with a frontal boundary over the region.

At this time, no significant tropical development is anticipated.

No Threat To The Carolinas

The disturbance poses no threat to North Carolina or the East Coast.

The primary impacts from this system are expected to remain confined to portions of eastern Mexico and the western Gulf of Mexico.

With the Atlantic hurricane season now underway, Rowan County Weather will continue monitoring all tropical developments and provide updates whenever systems show signs of becoming a concern.

The Bottom Line

While the disturbance in the southwestern Gulf has become slightly better organized, the overall environment remains unfavorable for substantial strengthening.

The National Hurricane Center continues to assign only a low 20% chance of development through the next seven days, and there are currently no impacts expected for North Carolina.

Residents are encouraged to use this time before the peak of hurricane season arrives to review their hurricane preparedness plans and emergency kits.