HOLT, Fla., Aug. 16, 2023—The Atlantic is becoming more active we enter the peak of the hurricane season.

The National Hurricane Center is watching three areas of interest in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

A broad area of low pressure could form in the central or western Gulf by the beginning of next week, according to the NHC. This area was identified yesterday afternoon.

Some slow development is possible as it moves westward and approaches the western Gulf coastline by the middle of next week.

Its formation chances are low at 20 percent through the next seven days.

The two areas in the Atlantic have increased formation chances during the past couple of days.

An area of low pressure is expected to form in a day or two around the tropical wave that exited the African coast last week.

A tropical depression could form during the weekend before conditions become unfavorable early next week.

Chances of further formation are medium at 40 percent.

According to the NHC, a trough of low pressure to the west of the tropical wave could develop into a tropical depression during the next several days as it also moves west to west-northwest.

Its formation chances are at 50 percent during the next seven days.

The climatical peak of the hurricane season is late August through September with a midpoint Sept. 10.

National Hurricane Center forecast