Tropical Update: Early Area of Interest in the Atlantic

news image
Top Stories
25 Apr 2024 12:30 AM

The National Hurricane Center has issued a tropical outlook for a small, but persistent area of low pressure over the Atlantic Ocean that is about 900 miles away from the Cabo Verde Islands over open waters. It is NOT expected to strengthen into anything tropical and will dissipate over the next few days. Still, with the hurricane season just 37 days away, starting on June 1st, it is a good reminder that tropical activity is knocking on our doorstep. Official outlooks from the NHC start on May 15.

There have been very few Atlantic tropical cyclones in April - only 3 in the last 50 years. Storms are more common in the offseason months of December and May which bookend the Atlantic Hurricane Season. Most tropical systems that form in the off months are tropical storms in May or hurricanes in December. Our most recent off-season tropical cyclone was an unnamed storm in January of 2023 off the coast of New England.

As we head into May, tropical development is uncommon, but not impossible. Below are the historical locations of tropical systems in the month of May, most forming in the warm Caribbean and Gulf waters.

The peak of hurricane season is in September, when waters are climatologically warm. As a reminder, the first seasonal forecast from Colorado State University calls for ABOVE AVERAGE hurricane season with the potential for 23 named storms thanks to El Nino and warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures.

For the latest on tropical forecasts and outlooks, join WeatherNation always streaming 24/7.

All Weather News
More
Arctic Blast to Bring Dangerous Conditions to Millions

Arctic Blast to Bring Dangerous Conditions to Millions

The Northern Tier of the country is no strang

7 Dec 2025 2:30 PM
Stormy Weekend in the Northwest, Intense System Arrives Monday

Stormy Weekend in the Northwest, Intense System Arrives Monday

A series of storms are taking aim at the Nort

7 Dec 2025 1:45 PM
Quick Moving System Brings Another Round of Snow to Chicago

Quick Moving System Brings Another Round of Snow to Chicago

As bitterly cold air moves into the Northern

7 Dec 2025 11:30 AM
Overnight Snow for the Colorado Rockies

Overnight Snow for the Colorado Rockies

DENVER, CO - Denver saw its first significant

6 Dec 2025 3:30 AM
Snow & Ice Lingers for the Mid-Atlantic & Appalachians

Snow & Ice Lingers for the Mid-Atlantic & Appalachians

Multiple low-pressure systems moving across t

5 Dec 2025 9:40 PM
Northern U.S. Bracing for Multiple Clipper Systems this Week

Northern U.S. Bracing for Multiple Clipper Systems this Week

MONTANA - A clipper system has been moving th

4 Dec 2025 2:00 AM
Gulf Low turns Coastal Low as Millions Brace for Plowable Snow

Gulf Low turns Coastal Low as Millions Brace for Plowable Snow

We're hoping many Thanksgiving travelers have

2 Dec 2025 8:50 PM