After days of monitoring a disturbance in the western Caribbean, the National Hurricane Center announces that 'Potential Tropical Cyclone 14' has formed, just east of the Yucatan Peninsula.
PTC 14 has maximum winds of 30 mph and is traveling at 6 mph to the northwest. The minimum central pressure is near 1006 millibars.
PTC 14 is expected to move northward into the Gulf of Mexico over the next several days.
Areas along the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Florida need to continue to monitor the progress of this system, which is expected to be named Michael. Computer models show a general trend in that direction. The strength of the system is always difficult to pinpoint, so preparation is key.
Forecast cone through Thursday, October 11