Tropics: Tropical Storm Bill racing over the Atlantic, Gulf cyclone forming

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The tropics are waking up!

Bill has formed and is heading out to sea.

The next cyclone will form in the Gulf and head north toward the Louisiana and Mississippi coasts by this weekend.

There’s also a strong wave moving off the African coast into the Atlantic. This will have a low chance of development before wind shear and dry air inhibits any formation.

It’s a good reminder that hurricane season is here and the time to prepare is now. Make sure you have had conversations with your loved ones about what you would do if a storm were to threaten.

This year, NOAA released the new seasonal averages for the Atlantic basin. According to the 30-year data from 1991 to 2020, the new averages include 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. The previous Atlantic storm averages, based on the period from 1981 to 2010, were 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. The averages from 1951-1980 , were 11 named storms, 5 hurricanes and 1 major.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30.