Storm May Become Hurricane Season's 1st Tropical Cyclone

TAMPA BAY, FL — Tampa Bay area residents may not have to worry about direct impacts from a storm kicking around in the Atlantic, but its anticipated development serves as a reminder the 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season is upon us.

At present, the storm in question is kicking around in the Atlantic Ocean. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center say it’s located between Bermuda and the Bahamas. It is slowly becoming better defined and has a 50 percent chance of forming into a tropical or subtropical cyclone over the next 48 hours. Those chances rise to 70 percent over the next five days.

On its present track, hurricane center forecasters say the storm shouldn’t darken the Tampa Bay area’s Memorial Day weekend. It may, however, cause issues for residents in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Residents in those areas are being urged to monitor the progress of the low pressure area over the next few days. Folks along Florida's northeast coast may also feel some effects, forecasters from AccuWeather say.

Should the system strengthen into a tropical storm, it will be named Bonnie. The first named storm of 2016 formed well outside of hurricane season back on Jan. 13. Hurricane Alex reached that status on Jan. 14. The storm was the first recorded January hurricane in the Atlantic since 1955.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season officially kicks off June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. With the season’s impending arrival, emergency operations officials from across the Tampa Bay region are urging local residents to make preparations now. Preparations should include creating a plan, understanding local evacuation zones and putting together a kit for emergency situations.

To find out more about hurricane season and storm preparation, read these related Patch stories:

• Hurricane Season 2016: Where To Find Local Information
• 2016 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast Released
• Hurricane Season: How to Prepare
• Tampa Bay 'Ripe for Disaster,' Hurricane Experts Say

At present, forecasters expect the Tampa Bay area to have a fairly normal Memorial Day weekend in the weather department. Highs in the upper 80s to low 90s are anticipated. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms are also possible on Saturday and Sunday. Storm chances are also present on Memorial Day.

Graphic courtesy of the National Weather Service