COLUMBIA, S.C. — The National Hurricane Center is watching a disturbance in the Atlantic. It could become the first named storm of the 2019 season.
An area of low pressure is expected to develop southwest of Bermuda Monday. The system could become a short-lived subtropical or tropical storm Monday or Tuesday.
Sunday evening, the hurricane center gave the system a 50% chance of further development over the next two days.
The system will continue to move towards the north or northeast and may gain some organization. By Wednesday, conditions are expected to become unfavorable for further development.
If necessary, an Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft is scheduled to investigate the disturbance Monday afternoon. Interests in Bermuda should monitor the progress of the system.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins June 1 and ends November 30, but storms can and do form outside of the season. There have been several over the past few years including: Alberto (May 2018), Arlene (April 2017), Alex (January 2016), Bonnie (May 2016) and Ana (May 2015).
NOAA will issue its 2019 Atlantic hurricane season forecast later this week. In April, Colorado State University hurricane researchers predicted a slightly below-average Atlantic hurricane season.
