National Hurricane Center tracking two tropical systems headed for Gulf of Mexico

RALEIGH (WTVD) — Two tropical depressions have now formed in the Atlantic Ocean, and in a rare occurrence, both are eyeing the same part of the country.

If forecasts are correct, we could see something that has never happened before: two hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico at the same time. The closest thing last seen to this were two tropical storms in the Gulf of Mexico back in 1959, one named Beulah and the other an unnamed storm.

Tropical Depression Thirteen officially formed late Wednesday night over the tropical central Atlantic. The system has triggered Tropical Storm Watches for the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The track for Thirteen shifted to the west with the 5 a.m. update on Friday as it could hit western Florida and Alabama.

Thirteen has maximum sustained winds at 35 miles per hour and could become a tropical storm sometime Friday. Some models have Thirteen falling apart.

Tropical Depression Thirteen is still about three days out before reaching the U.S. The system is slated to bring some storm surge, rainfall and wind impact to portions of Hispaniola, Cuba, the Bahama this weekend and early next week.
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Tropical Depression Fourteen formed Thursday morning about 235 miles east of Cabo Gracias a Dios, which is located on the border of Honduras and Nicaragua.

It has maximum winds of 35 mph and is moving west-northwest at 12 miles per hour. It is also expected to strengthen into a tropical storm; that could take place sometime Friday. The spaghetti models differ on Fourteen, leaving some question marks surrounding its path.

Whichever storm becomes a tropical storm first will be named Laura. If a second storm materializes into a tropical storm, that one will be named Marco. Despite their current numerical designation, it is possible for Tropical Depression Fourteen to become Laura and Tropical Depression Thirteen to become Marco.

Tropical Depression Fourteen’s current track takes it across the coast of Honduras and then over part of Mexico. The storm then heads back over water in the Gulf of Mexico, where it could track into Texas or Louisiana.

Changes in the track for both systems are possible. At this time, neither system is not expected to impact North Carolina.

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