Tropical Depression 19 forms near the Bahamas, could become tropical storm before it reaches south Florida

RALEIGH, N.C. — The peak of hurricane season is upon us and the tropics are as active as ever.

Sept. 11 is one of the most active points in the annual hurricane season. This year’s hurricane season is on pace to be the most active of all time, so it’s no wonder that the tropics remain very busy.

The National Hurricane Center now says seven tropical waves have formed in the Atlantic storm basin.

The most recent system developed Thursday morning in the Gulf of Mexico. The system is moving westward and causing disorganized storms. It has just a 10 percent chance to become a tropical depression over the next 48 hours.

Tropical Depression 19 formed near the Bahamas Friday afternoon and could become a Tropical Storm before it reaches south Florida on Saturday. If not, it will reach tropical storm status when it emerges into the Gulf Of Mexico on Sunday.

It’s forecast to continue to strengthen as it moves northwest towards the central Gulf Coast by Monday and Tuesday. It could be near hurricane strength as it approaches the Alabama or Mississippi coasts early in the week.The next name on the list for storms is Sally.

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Next up is Tropical Storm Paulette with maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour.

Paulette is expected to strengthen into a hurricane before it arrives in Bermuda, making its closest approach to the island on Monday and Tuesday. After hitting Bermuda, the storm is expected to turn north and stay away from the United States. Swells from Paulette are expected to impact parts of the Leeward Islands, the Greater Antilles, the Bahamas, Bermuda and the southeastern United States.

Tropical Storm Rene is moving northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands with sustained winds of 45 miles per hour. Rene could strengthen into a hurricane, but it will remain harmlessly out to sea. On Friday morning, Rene was moving west-northwest at 10 miles per hour.

What happens when we run out of letters of the alphabet for hurricane names?

The west coast of Africa is busy; there are two tropical waves developing on the continent.

The first tropical system there will move off the coast Thursday. When it moves over water, it will begin strengthening.

It has a 70 percent chance to become a tropical depression by Saturday morning. By Tuesday, there’s a 90 percent chance it will be a tropical depression.

The second tropical system over Africa will move into the Atlantic Ocean over the weekend. It has a 30 percent chance to become a tropical depression in the next five days.

The next storm to become a tropical storm will be named Sally, meaning there are only four more letters in the alphabet for storm names this year (Sally, Teddy, Vicky, Wilfred). Here’s what happens if we run out of names.

The last time that happened was 2005–which is the current record holder for the most active hurricane season ever.