TD13 forms, Hurricane Kirk strengthens, Caribbean system works to develop

Active tropics in the Atlantic

By James Tutten

ORLANDO, Fla. — Channel 9 meteorologists are monitoring several active tropical systems this week.

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The tropics remain active as an area in the Caribbean begins to lift into the Gulf of Mexico, and another new system forms in the open Atlantic.

11:30 a.m. update:

Tropical Depression Thirteen developed Wednesday morning with winds of 35 mph.

Read: What do you do with sandbags after a hurricane?

The system is expected to be a tropical storm Wednesday night and a hurricane this weekend.

It will likely remain out to sea.

Parts of North Carolina devastated by flooding, mudslides from Helene

Parts of North Carolina devastated by flooding, mudslides from Helene

Parts of North Carolina devastated by flooding, mudslides from Helene

Parts of North Carolina devastated by flooding, mudslides from Helene

Parts of North Carolina devastated by flooding, mudslides from Helene

Parts of North Carolina devastated by flooding, mudslides from Helene

Parts of North Carolina devastated by flooding, mudslides from Helene

Parts of North Carolina devastated by flooding, mudslides from Helene

Parts of North Carolina devastated by flooding, mudslides from Helene

Parts of North Carolina devastated by flooding, mudslides from Helene

Parts of North Carolina devastated by flooding, mudslides from Helene

Parts of North Carolina devastated by flooding, mudslides from Helene

Elsewhere, a Caribbean disturbance is slowly lifting northward into the Gulf of Mexico.

The National Hurricane Center is still giving the system a 40% chance of development, but any organization will be very slow and may not happen until early next week.

Uncertainty surrounds tropical system working to develop in Caribbean

Regardless of development, the threat of rain will increase next week in Central Florida.

Finally, Hurricane Kirk is on track to become a major hurricane in the open Atlantic.

Watch: Florida home burns down after Tesla catches fire while sitting in Hurricane Helene floodwaters

It will likely be a Category 3 storm on Thursday as it pivots out to the North Atlantic.

Original report:

A low-pressure area in the Caribbean continues to build and become organized.

The disturbance will move into the Gulf of Mexico later this week.

Read: Hurricane Helene recovery: How you can help

It’s still too soon to know where the system will eventually go, but some forecast models have it moving over Florida next week.

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This will help bump up our rain chance this weekend and most of next week.

Watch: Several active tropical systems are being tracked in the Atlantic

Hurricane Kirk is also spinning in the Central Atlantic.

Tropical systems in the Atlantic

Kirk is forecast to become a major Category 3 hurricane by the end of the week, but thankfully it will stay out to sea.

Watch: Helene aftermath: Florida energy companies send crews to help stranded communities

Another disturbance on Kirk’s heels could also develop this week.

That system is also forecast to stay out to sea.

Helene aftermath: Florida power companies send crews to help stranded communities While the Sunshine State works to recover from Hurricane Helene, other states like Georgia and the Carolinas are dealing with severe damage. (Duke Energy /Duke Energy)

Helene aftermath: Florida power companies send crews to help stranded communities While the Sunshine State works to recover from Hurricane Helene, other states like Georgia and the Carolinas are dealing with severe damage. (Duke Energy /Duke Energy)

Helene aftermath: Florida power companies send crews to help stranded communities While the Sunshine State works to recover from Hurricane Helene, other states like Georgia and the Carolinas are dealing with severe damage. (Duke Energy /Duke Energy)

Helene aftermath: Florida power companies send crews to help stranded communities While the Sunshine State works to recover from Hurricane Helene, other states like Georgia and the Carolinas are dealing with severe damage. (Duke Energy /Duke Energy)

Helene aftermath: Florida power companies send crews to help stranded communities While the Sunshine State works to recover from Hurricane Helene, other states like Georgia and the Carolinas are dealing with severe damage. (Duke Energy /Duke Energy)

Helene aftermath: Florida power companies send crews to help stranded communities While the Sunshine State works to recover from Hurricane Helene, other states like Georgia and the Carolinas are dealing with severe damage. (Duke Energy /Duke Energy)

Helene aftermath: Florida power companies send crews to help stranded communities While the Sunshine State works to recover from Hurricane Helene, other states like Georgia and the Carolinas are dealing with severe damage. (Duke Energy /Duke Energy)

Helene aftermath: Florida power companies send crews to help stranded communities While the Sunshine State works to recover from Hurricane Helene, other states like Georgia and the Carolinas are dealing with severe damage. (Duke Energy /Duke Energy)

Helene aftermath: Florida power companies send crews to help stranded communities While the Sunshine State works to recover from Hurricane Helene, other states like Georgia and the Carolinas are dealing with severe damage. (Duke Energy /Duke Energy)

Channel 9 will continue to monitor all active systems in the tropics and provide updates on Eyewitness News.

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