After nearly two ‘quiet’ weeks, meteorologists at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) are actively watching three systems in the Atlantic basin today (June 14).

The first, located 145 kilometres (90 miles) southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, has become more defined over the last 24 hours, developing into a tropical depression—the second of the 2021 hurricane season.

According to the 10:39 am Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) NHC bulletin, satellite, radar and surface observations indicate that the well-defined low-pressure system is acquiring more tropical characteristics.

“Environmental conditions appear conducive for further development, and a tropical depression or tropical storm is likely to form later today or tonight. This system is expected to move northeastward away from the United States and move over colder waters south of Nova Scotia on Wednesday, ending any opportunity for further development by midweek,” the NHC advised.

The hurricane watchdog puts the probability at a high 70 per cent for the tropical depression to further strengthen in the next two to five days.

The second weather disturbance, a low-pressure system located over the Bay of Campeche in the Gulf of Mexico, has a 60 per cent chance to develop over the next five days.

“Gradual development of this disturbance is possible during the next couple of days while it meanders near the coast of Mexico, and a tropical depression could form late in the week when the system moves northward into the central Gulf of Mexico,” the weather agency explained.

The Florida-based NHC added that regardless of development, heavy rainfall is possible over portions of Central America and southern Mexico during the next several days.

Weather sleuths are also eyeing a strong tropical wave just offshore West Africa, which is producing disorganised shower and thunderstorm activity.

“Some development of this system is possible during the next few days before a combination of dry air aloft and strong upper-level winds limit any chance of formation while the wave is over the central tropical Atlantic Ocean late week,” the forecast said.

In its tropical weather outlook, the NHC indicated that morning storm formation chances for the system off the West African coast are “low” through the next two to five days.

The next three available names on the hurricane list are Bill, Claudette and Danny.