Hurricane forecasters eye tropical system that's moving across Caribbean

The tropics are heating up: Just as Debby continues to pound the Southeast with rain and wind, forecasters were also keeping an eye on another developing tropical system that's moving across the Caribbean Sea Tuesday.

Although chances for development over the next couple of days were low as of Tuesday morning, the National Hurricane Center said "environmental conditions are expected to become more conducive for development later this week as the system moves across the western Caribbean Sea or the southern Gulf of Mexico," according to the 8 a.m. advisory from the hurricane center.

Storm activity ramps up in August

If its winds eventually reach 39 mph, it would become a named tropical storm. The next name on the list is Ernesto.

It's too early at this time to determine if there will be any impact to the U.S. from this system.

Forecasters urge all residents to continue monitoring the tropics and to always be prepared. That advice is particularly important for what is expected to be a very active hurricane season.

After a few slow weeks in July, the fact that we're seeing storms forming in August isn't unusual, as August is typically "go" time for hurricanes and tropical storms in the Atlantic. "We are approaching the point of the season [August] where we tend to see more [tropical waves] take hold and organize into tropical depressions, storms, and even hurricanes under the right conditions," AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva said.

A​ugust, September and October are usually considered the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, according to Weather.com. This is because water temperatures are often at their warmest, wind shear is at its lowest and humidity has increased across the basin, all of which contribute to hurricane formation.

Active season ahead

Federal forecasters have predicted an "extraordinary" season, with as many as 25 named storms possible.

This is the most storms the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has ever predicted in a preseason outlook. "All the ingredients are in place for an active season," said National Weather Service Director Ken Graham at a news conference in Washington, D.C.

NOAA Director Rick Spinrad said the Atlantic hurricane season is shaping up to be "extraordinary": An 85% chance for an above-average year. "The forecast … is the highest NOAA has ever issued for the May outlook," he said at the news conference.

Top forecasters from Colorado State University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will be issuing updated predictions for the remainder of the hurricane season this week.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hurricane forecasters eye tropical system that's moving across Caribbean