ORLANDO, Fla. – As the peak of hurricane season approaches, the tropics are active.
The National Hurricane Center on Wednesday is keeping tabs on three invests -- areas of investigation -- two of which have an 80% chance of developing.
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Disturbance 1: In the Caribbean
Invest 99-L is a broad area of low pressure over the southwestern Caribbean Sea on a path into the Gulf of Mexico.
Environmental conditions are forecast to be conducive for development, and a tropical depression or tropical storm is likely to form late this week or this weekend while the system moves northwest over the northwestern Caribbean Sea, near or across the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico on Friday and into the Gulf of Mexico this weekend, where conditions are expected to be favorable for further development.
Computer models show the system tracking to Texas or Louisiana, but the Florida Panhandle could also be a possible destination.
The National Hurricane Center on Wednesday said the wave has a 50% chance of developing tropical characteristics over the next two days and an 80% over the next five days.
Disturbance 2: Southeast of Bermuda
Meanwhile, Invest 97-L is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms over the central tropical Atlantic, about 650 miles southeast of Bermuda.
Slow development of this system is expected during the next day or so due to unfavorable upper-level winds. Afterward, environmental conditions are expected to become more conducive for development, and a tropical depression is likely to form late this week or this weekend while the system turns east over the central Atlantic.
The system has also has a 80% chance of development over the next five days.
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Disturbance 3: Closest to Africa
Lastly, Invest 98-L is over the far eastern tropical Atlantic, several hundred miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, where it is producing a disorganized area of showers and thunderstorms.
Some development of this system is possible over the next several days while it moves west-northwest at 10 to 15 mph over the eastern tropical Atlantic.
Upper-level winds are forecast to become less conducive for development by this weekend.
Currently, the NHC gives it a 30% chance to develop.
As of now, the disturbances are not expected to directly impact Central Florida.
The next three named storms will be called Ida, Julian and Kate.
Hurricane season peaks on Sept. 10 and runs until Dec. 1.