National Hurricane Center tracking 4 tropical disturbances. Peak of hurricane season nears

The National Hurricane Center is now tracking four tropical waves , as of the 2 p.m. advisory.

All have a low chance of developing over the next seven days — including one in the Caribbean Sea and the newest one off east of North Carolina.

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The tropical waves the Hurricane Center highlighted on its tropical outlook map are located:

• In the northwestern Atlantic
• In the Caribbean Sea
• In the central Atlantic.
• In the eastern Atlantic

Watch the tropical wave in the Caribbean closely for possible changes in the weather forecast . While chances for development currently are low, it's moving into extremely warm waters in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.

Historically, about two-thirds of all Atlantic hurricane activity occurs between Aug. 20 and Oct. 10, said Philip Klotzbach , meteorologist at Colorado State University specializing in Atlantic basin seasonal hurricane forecasts.

Expect tropical activity to ramp up

Wind shear, which has helped prevent tropical waves from organizing, is expected to lessen by the middle of September.

Along with the long-expected transition to La Niña and reduction in the amount of Saharan dust, forecasters are expecting tropical activity to increase this month.

The next named storm of the season will be Francine.

AccuWeather revises hurricane season prediction

On Sept. 3, AccuWeather released a new forecast for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, and the new forecast is better than the "explosive" season predicted in March.

But that doesn't mean Florida or the U.S. won't face any storms, said AccuWeather. The latest prediction is still above the historical average — which is 14 named storms — when it comes to the number of tropical cyclones in the season.

"We expect two to four more direct impacts to the United States this season," said Jon Porter, AccuWeather chief meteorologist. And while the busiest portion of hurricane season generally runs from mid-August through mid-October, tropical threats could extend into November this year, forecasters warned.

AccuWeather is now predicting the season will bring:

• 16-20 named storms
• 6-10 hurricanes
• 3-6 major hurricanes
• 4-6 direct impacts to the United States

A major hurricane is a Category 3 storm or higher, with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph.

'Don't let your guard down': 2-4 more direct impacts to US expected

“We don’t want anyone to let their guard down, even though we are now forecasting fewer storms in total," Porter said.

"We expect two to four more direct impacts to the United States this season. It only takes one powerful hurricane or slow-moving tropical storm to threaten lives and cause devastation. With such extremely warm waters in much of the Atlantic basin, and more conducive conditions for tropical development expected in the coming weeks, it’s important that everyone is prepared for the threat of more storms this year."

Here's the latest update from the NHC as of  2 p.m., Sept. 4:

What's out there and how likely are they to strengthen?

Northwestern Atlantic: A non-tropical area of low pressure located a few hundred miles east of North Carolina is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms.

This system could acquire some subtropical characteristics over the next few days as it moves north-northeastward, remaining offshore of the northeastern United States.

• Formation chance through 48 hours: low, 10 percent.
• Formation chance through 7 days: low, 20 percent.

Northwestern Caribbean Sea, southwestern Gulf of Mexico: A tropical wave moving quickly westward at about 20 mph is producing a broad area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms across portions of the central Caribbean Sea.

Some development is possible early next week when the system moves over the southwestern Gulf ofMexico.

• Formation chance through 48 hours: low, near 0 percent.
• Formation chance through seven days: low, 30 percent.

Central Tropical Atlantic Ocean : Another tropical wave located several hundred miles east of the Lesser Antilles is producing disorganized shower and thunderstorm activity.

Development of this system, if any, is expected to be slow to occur over the next couple of days while it moveswest-northwestward at 10 to 15 mph.

Environmental conditions are expected to become less favorable for additional development by the end of the week.

• Formation chance through 48 hours: low, 10 percent.
• Formation chance through seven days: low, 10 percent.

Eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean: An elongated trough of low pressure over the eastern tropical Atlantic is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms.

Some slow development of this system is possible during the next few dayswhile it drifts northwestward.

• Formation chance through 48 hours: low, 10 percent.
• Formation chance through 7 days: low, 20 percent.

Tracking tropical waves? Here's latitude, longitude of where they are

• Eastern Atlantic: An eastern Atlantic tropical wave is west of the Cabo Verde Islands near 28W from 19N southward, and moving westward at 11 to 17 mph.
• Central Atlantic: A central Atlantic tropical wave is near 44W from 20N southward, and moving westward at 17 to 23 mph.
• Central Caribbean: A central Caribbean tropical wave is near 73W from Haiti southward to near the Colombia-Venezuela, and moving westward near 11 mph.

What do the colored areas on the NOAA map mean?

The hatched areas on a tropical outlook map indicate "areas where a tropical cyclone — which could be a tropical depression, tropical storm or hurricane — could develop," said National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Jamie Rhome.

The colors make it visibly clear how likely a system could develop with yellow being low, orange medium and red high.

The National Hurricane Center generally doesn't issue tropical advisories until a there is a named storm, but there is an exception.

"If a system is near land and there is potential for development, the National Hurricane Center won't wait before it issues advisories, even if the system hasn't become an actual storm. This gives residents time to prepare," Rhome said.

Who is likely to be impacted?

The tropical wave in the Central Caribbean is bringing numerous showers and isolated strong thunderstorms near the ABC Islands and Gulf of Venezuela. Scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are occurring south of Hispaniola.

It's too early at this time to determine if there will be any impact to Florida or the U.S. from any of the tropical waves.

It's still too early to determine if there will be any impacts to Florida from the tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic.

➤ Excessive rainfall forecast

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.

Florida tax holiday: Time running out to save on hurricane supplies

Florida's final disaster preparedness tax holiday is winding to a close, but you still have a few days to save money on any needed hurricane supplies for you or your pet.

The tax holiday ends Sept. 6, just days before the peak of hurricane season arrives. And don't forget the busiest period historically lasts until mid-October. This year, though, tropical threats could extend through November and possibly into December this year, due in part to extremely warm water temperatures, Porter said.

Here's what you can buy tax free:

• A portable generator used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage with a sales price of $3,000 or less.
• A tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof sheeting with a sales price of $100 or less.
• An item normally sold as, or generally advertised as, a ground anchor system or tie-down kitwith a sales price of $100 or less.
• A smoke detector or smoke alarm with a sales price of $70 or less.
• A fire extinguisher with a sales price of $70 or less.
• A carbon monoxide detector with a sales price of $70 or less.
• A nonelectric food storage cooler with a sales price of $60 or less.
• A portable power bank with a sales price of $60 or less.
• A gas or diesel fuel tank with a sales price of $50 or less.
• A portable self-powered radio, two-way radio, or weather-band radio with a sales price of$50 or less.
• A package of AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobileand boat batteries, with a sales price of $50 or less.
• A portable self-powered light source (powered by battery, solar, hand-crank, or gas) with asales price of $40 or less.
  • Flashlights
  • Lanterns
  • Candles
• Reusable ice (ice packs) with a sales price of $20 or less.

Do you need a generator? With active hurricane season ahead, do you need a generator in Florida? Here's how to decide

Also included in the tax holiday are any supplies necessary for the evacuation of household pets. Necessary supplies means the noncommercial purchase of:

• Bags of dry cat or dog food weighing 50 or fewer pounds and with a sales price of $100 or less per bag.
• Portable kennels or pet carriers with a sales price of $100 or less per item.
• Over-the-counter pet medications with a sales price of $100 or less.
• Pet beds with a sales price of $40 or less per item.
• Cat litter weighing 25 or fewer pounds and with a sales price of $25 or less per item.
• Leashes, collars, and muzzles with a sales price of $20 or less per item.
• Pet pads with a sales price of $20 or less per box or package.
• Manual can openers with a sales price of $15 or less per item.
• Collapsible or travel-sized food bowls or water bowls with a sales price of $15 or less per item.
• Cat litter pans with a sales price of $15 or less per item.
• Pet waste disposal bags with a sales price of $15 or less per package.
• Hamster or rabbit substrate with a sales price of $15 or less per package.
• Cans or pouches of wet dog food or cat food with a sales price of $10 or less per can or pouch or the equivalent if sold in a box or case.

Weather watches and warnings issued in Florida

When is the Atlantic hurricane season?

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.

The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.

Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text

When is the peak of hurricane season?

The peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the Hurricane Center.

National Hurricane Center map: What are forecasters watching now?

Systems currently being monitored by the National Hurricane Center include:

Interactive map: Hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed near your city

Excessive rainfall forecast

What's next?

We will continue to update our tropical weather coverage daily. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here .

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: National Hurricane Center tracking 4 tropical disturbances. Peak of hurricane season nears