HOLT, Fla., Sept. 7 , 2020—The Atlantic now has two tropical depressions with promises to develop into storms.

The National Hurricane Center issued its first advisory on Tropical Depression 17 at 9 p.m. last night.

It’s now forecast to become Tropical Storm Paulette sometime today.

Other than some dry air in the vicinity of the depression, the overall environment looks favorable for strengthening during the next few days, according to the NHC.

However, due to the large size of the circulation, the NHC anticipates strengthening may occur more slowly than what might be expected from a more compact system.

Because of this, the center is forecasting only a gradual strengthening during the five-day forecast period.

By day three, increasing vertical wind shear should limit further intensification and may cause some weakening to occur.

TD17 is moving west-northwest at 6 mph with a gradual increase in forward speed.

Tropical Depression 18 was announced this morning when the NHC saw the system after sunrise.

It is also expected to become a tropical storm later today or tonight. If it forms after TD17 becomes Paulette, TD18 will be named Tropical Storm Rene.

However, unlike TD17, this system is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane within the next three days.

The long-range forecast is a little muddled with the two systems in the same general area. Whether or how they will interact will determine their strengthening capabilities, according to the NHC.

The low pressure area located just southwest of Bermuda is expected to develop slowly during the next several days, according to the NHC.

It remains at a 30 percent chance of development.

Further to the east, a tropical wave is expected to emerge off the coast of Africa in a few days.

Gradual development is anticipated once the system moves over water.

A tropical depression could form late this weekend as the system moves generally westward across the east Atlantic.

Formation chance has increased to 40 percent.

National Hurricane Center forecasts