Now in the Atlantic; 2 named storms and 2 disturbances to watch

(WPDE) — UPDATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON

The Atlantic has been active for the past few weeks, likely due to La Niña officially taking shape in the Pacific. This allows more air to rise in the Atlantic basin, meaning there is less resistance to tropical systems if they are able to organize themselves.

At this time, there are two named storms in the Atlantic and two areas that could develop over the next two to seven days. The two storms mentioned are Hurricane Kirk and Tropical Storm Leslie.

Hurricane Kirk is a strong, severe hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 140 miles per hour and a minimum central pressure of 939 millibars. Kirk is expected to weaken and turn northward this weekend, quickly moving away from the US

Kirk poses no threat to the U.S., although currents will increase on East Coast beaches as it passes hundreds of miles offshore.

By midweek next week, Kirk will move into colder waters in the North Atlantic and lose tropical characteristics. It will remain a strong post-tropical storm, potentially impacting parts of Europe late next week.

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Tropical Storm Leslie has maintained tropical storm status for several days but is expected to strengthen into a hurricane this weekend.

Leslie could reach major hurricane status next week, then it will turn further north to northeast. Leslie poses no threat to the U.S. as it will be swept away from the East Coast by a frontal system next week.

The only disturbance to keep an eye on for possible US impacts is the Gulf, but it has been slow to see since it first appeared last weekend.

There is currently a widespread area of ​​low pressure in the western Gulf of Mexico associated with this disturbance and there is a 10% chance of it developing in the next 48 hours and a 10% chance of it developing in the next week developed, at 50%. Models agree that this low will track east/northeastward this weekend into next week, reaching the Florida peninsula.

Regardless of developments, this disturbance will likely result in heavy rains across parts of Florida ending this weekend and beginning next week, which could lead to flooding.

Once this low moves over the waters of the western Atlantic on the east side of Florida, a frontal system will sweep it out to sea. This means it poses no threat to the Carolinas.

Another disturbance has occurred off the west coast of Africa with a low chance of developing as it moves west/northwest next week. It is not a threat to the US

The Weather Authority team will keep you updated on the latest developments in the Atlantic.