System could become first named storm of 2021

ORLANDO, Fla. – A non-tropical low pressure system now has a pretty good chance of becoming the first named storm of 2021.

As of Thursday morning, the system was about 600 miles east-southeast of Bermuda.

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The National Hurricane Center said the low is expected to develop gale-force winds later in the day while it moves generally north.

The low is forecast to move west and southwest over warmer waters on Friday, and will likely become a short-lived subtropical cyclone near and to the northeast of Bermuda on Friday.

The storm could have both non-tropical and tropical characteristics. A hybrid storm is also known as a sub-tropical storm, which means it gets only some of its energy from warm ocean waters. A tropical system gets all of its energy from warm ocean waters.

If it is deemed subtropical, it would get the name Ana, the first named storm of the 2021 season. If it develops full tropical characteristics, it would become Tropical Storm Ana.

[MORE: 2021 storm names]

The system is expected to move toward the north and northeast into a more hostile environment by late Sunday into Monday.

The NHC said the system has a 70% chance of forming in the next 48 hours and an 90% chance over the next five days.

News 6 will air a hurricane special at 7 p.m. on June 1, the official start of hurricane season, and it will include a live online chat with meteorologist Jonathan Kegges. You can ask questions in advance here.