WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The National Hurricane Center on Thursday is watching three areas of unsettled weather for possible tropical development.
One is in the Gulf of Mexico. For now, it has a medium chance of developing into a tropical depression or storm.
"That chance, most likely it's going to increase each and every day going into next week," WPTV First Alert Weather meteorologist Jennifer Correa said. "Basically, in the next five to seven days, an area of low pressure will form, and it could further organize."
TRACKING THE TROPICS: Hurricane Center | Hurricane Guide
Longer range models spin up a tropical cyclone by the middle of next week. Long-range predictions are still low confidence.
Some take it toward Mexico, while others take it to the Panhandle.
"The American model is really aggressive, making this a stronger storm," Correa said. "European [model] not quite as aggressive. But something is expected to form throughout next week. We have time to watch it. Most likely, it's going to be moving into the Gulf waters."
WPTV First Alert Weather meteorologist James Wieland added that, at the moment, it's still too early to tell exactly where this system will go and if there will be any possible impacts to South Florida.
If this system strengthens into a named storm, it would be called Helene.
Elsewhere in the tropics, two areas in the middle of the Atlantic have a low chance to develop. One of them is the remnants of Tropical Storm Gordon, which has a decreasing chances now.
Both will stay in the middle of the Atlantic.
