After a slow start to the summer hurricane season, activity is picking up. The National Hurricane Center started watching a new area of interest in the Central Atlantic late Thursday, Aug. 20.
That's in addition to the North Atlantic disturbance the agency is watching, and the five tropical waves it's keeping an eye on as of Friday morning.
The new weak area of low pressure, located over the central subtropical Atlantic a few hundred miles east-southeast of Bermuda, is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms, but any development is expected to be slow to happen as it drifts west-southwestward through Sunday and then turns northward early next week, NHC Senior Hurricane Specialist John Cangialosi said in the 8 a.m. update.
The area of low pressure in the North Atlantic could "acquire some subtropical or tropical characteristics" on Saturday or early Sunday as it moves toward Portugal and northwestern Spain, Cangialosi said.
Residents should still be aware of tropical weather. The Atlantic hurricane season has been relatively quiet this summer — although the Pacific season has become extremely busy — but disturbances picked up in the last week, and Tropical Storm Christobal briefly formed to become the third-named storm of the season. Experts say the busiest time of the Atlantic hurricane season traditionally falls between mid-August and mid-October.
Shop Amazon for hurricane prep
In an updated hurricane season forecast released Aug. 19, AccuWeather decreased its prediction for the number of named storms this season but warned that residents should remain prepared. Three to five direct impacts on the United States are predicted and, as the saying goes, it only takes one.
Residents on the northern and eastern Gulf Coast and the Carolinas face a higher-than-historical-average risk of direct impacts this season, and residents along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, including Florida, should remain vigilant, according to AccuWeather.
Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist at WeatherTiger, pointed out that over 60% of the Atlantic's total hurricane activity occurs between Aug. 20 and Sept. 30.
➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location
Here's the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center as of 8 a.m., Aug. 20:
No. As of 8 a.m. Aug. 21, the National Hurricane Center said there is one tropical disturbance in the northeastern Atlantic and another in the Central Atlantic, both with a low chance for development.
There are now five tropical waves out there, but strong wind shear and dry air have so far prevented further development.
At 8 a.m. Aug. 21, the National Hurricane Center was highlighting one area in the Central Atlantic and one in the northeastern Atlantic:
Central Subtropical Atlantic: A weak area of low pressure located over the central subtropical Atlantic a few hundred miles east-southeast of Bermuda is producing an area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms.
Development of this system, if any, is expected to be slow to occur while it drifts west-southwestward through Sunday and then turns northward early next week.
Formation chance through 48 hours: low, 10 percent
Formation chance through 7 days: low, 20 percent
Northeastern Atlantic: A non-tropical area of low pressure has developed over the northeastern Atlantic several hundred miles north-northeast of the Azores.
This system could acquire some subtropical or tropical characteristics on Saturday or early Sunday while it moves east-southeastward at 10 to 15 mph toward Portugal and northwestern Spain. The opportunity of tropical or subtropical development should end by Sunday night when the system moves into unfavorable environmental conditions
Formation chance through 48 hours: low, 10 percent
Formation chance through 7 days: low, 20 percent
Forecasters also are watching five tropical waves:
A new far eastern Atlantic tropical wave is near 11N17W, moving westward around 17 mph.
An eastern Atlantic tropical wave is along 37W, south of 18N, moving westward between 17 and 23 mph.
A central Atlantic tropical wave is along 48W, south of 19N, moving westward between 17 and 23 mph.
A central Caribbean tropical wave is along 72W, south of the Virgin Islands, moving westward at around 17 mph.
A western Caribbean tropical wave is along 87W, south of 20N, moving westward at around 17 mph.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
Ninety-seven percent of tropical cyclone activity occurs during this time period, NOAA said.
➤ Hurricane Center testing new cone: What's changing this season?
The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of America, as the Gulf of Mexico is now known in the U.S. per an order from President Trump.
The National Hurricane Center's tropical outlook map highlights "disturbances" in the Atlantic basin.
These are clusters of storms with some organization, but which don't have a defined circulation typical of tropical cyclones. Colors on the map indicate chances for development:
Red: The odds of development are high
Orange: There's a medium chance of development
Gray X: There is little to no chance for development. In previous years, yellow was used.
"Tropical waves are clusters of showers and thunderstorms that act as the seedlings for many tropical storms throughout the Atlantic season," said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert, via email.
"There are about 60 tropical waves that move across the Atlantic each year, and roughly 10 percent to 15 percent of them develop into a tropical system. That's about one in seven," he said, adding that tropical waves contribute to about 80% of all major hurricanes.
The 30-year average, from 1991 to 2020, is for 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.
The peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the Hurricane Center.
Here are the names for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season and how to pronounce them:
Arthur: Tropical Storm Arthur formed June 17, 2026
Bertha: Tropical Storm Bertha formed July 20, 2026
Cristobal: Tropical Storm Cristobal formed Aug. 12
Dolly, DAH-lee (fourth-named storm historically forms Aug. 15)
We will continue to update our tropical weather coverage to bring you the most current information you need to protect your home and family.
C. A. Bridges and Cheryl McCloud are journalists for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida's best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: National Hurricane Center watching new area near Bermuda
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.