The National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City (NOAA) has announced that there is potential for tropical development off the SE coast late this weekend and early next week. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring this closely and currently has the area outlooked in a 80% probability of formation.
A broad area of low pressure located near the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula is producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. Gradual development is forecast and this system is likely to become a tropical depression while it moves slowly northeastward over the northwestern Caribbean Sea and southeastern Gulf of Mexico during the next day or two.
Though it is still too early to determine any additional potential impacts, an increased rip current risk and rough surf is very likely for area beaches.
