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We may be in the peak of hurricane season, but the tropics are quiet for now, except for Tropical Storm Fernand.
Don’t expect the lull to last, and don’t let your guard down, forecasters warned.
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A “homegrown tropical development” is possible as the jet stream pushes into the Southeast, according to AccuWeather.
The National Hurricane Center is tracking three tropical waves in the Atlantic basin, including one in the Caribbean.
The next named storms of the season will be Gabrielle and Humberto.
Here’s the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center as of 2 p.m., Aug. 27:
See projected path for Tropical Storm Fernand
Special note on the NHC cone: The forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.
➤ Track Tropical Storm Fernand
Tropical Storm Fernand was moving east at 12 mph at 11 a.m. Aug. 27.
Shortly before noon, the National Hurricane Center issued a special update, saying Fernand had strong a little stronger, with maximum sustained winds at 50 mph.
Fernand is still expected to become post-tropical by tonight, and dissipate by early Friday.
There are no hazards to land associated with Fernand.
What tropical waves, disturbances are in Atlantic basin now?
The National Hurricane Center is tracking Tropical Storm Fernand and three tropical waves in the Atlantic basin, which consists of the northern Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf.
Is there a hurricane heading toward Florida?
No. Tropical Storm Fernand poses no threat to land and there’s nothing else out there at this time that poses a threat to Florida.
“Unfavorable upper-level wind conditions are expected to kick up this week over the Atlantic’s Main Development Region, and the end of August and first week of September should be relatively quiet in the tropics,” said Dr. Ryan Truchelut on Aug. 13. Truchelut is the chief meteorologist at WeatherTiger and works with the USA TODAY Network.
➤ Hurricane forecast: Quiet spell likley until mid-September
Mid-August through mid-October is the busiest portion of hurricane season, and officials regularly urge residents to always be prepared for storms.
Could Florida face any tropical risks as we enter Labor Day weekend?
Conditions close to the United States are more favorable for tropical depression formation due to the Gulf Stream current and the warm Gulf waters, according to AccuWeather.
“We expect an unusually strong dip in the jet stream to push into the Southeast states over the holiday weekend, which could help spin up homegrown tropical development,” said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva.
The risk for tropical development is low, but “regardless of development, a wet pattern looks to be in place for the holiday weekend across portions of the Southeast,” DaSilva said via email Aug. 26.
“Sea surface temperatures in the Gulf are extremely warm,” DaSilva said. “This is of great concern, as the ‘untapped’ waters of the Gulf could allow any budding tropical entity to rapidly intensify.”
Colorado State University predicting ‘quieter period’ in Atlantic basin through Sept. 2
“Following Hurricane Erin becoming post-tropical … we anticipate a quieter period for Atlantic hurricane activity,” Colorado State University said in its two-week forecast for Aug. 20-Sept. 2.
Historically, “the primary threat formation area for major hurricanes in late August is in the eastern and central tropical Atlantic,” CSU said.
“We are approaching the climatological peak of the season, and there is certainly potential for other TCs — tropical cyclones — to form, especially given that the large-scale environment doesn’t look especially harsh.”
What should you do now to prepare for hurricane season?
Officials regularly encourage Florida residents to prepare for storms before a hurricane is approaching, while shelves are fully stocked and you aren’t battling crowds all rushing to the store at the same time.
➤ Don’t have a hurricane supply kit? From the basics to the extras, here’s what you need
“It only takes one storm to make it an impactful year for your community,” the National Hurricane Center Miami posted on X. “Hurricane season is a marathon, not a sprint.”
On Aug. 1, specific hurricane supplies became permanently tax-free in Florida, ranging from batteries to generators.
➤ See list of emergency supplies you can now buy tax free
Florida weather radar for Aug. 27, 2025
Weather watches and warnings issued in Florida
When is the Atlantic hurricane season?
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.
The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America, as the Gulf of Mexico is now known in the U.S. per an order from President Trump. NOAA and the National Hurricane Center are now using Gulf of America on its maps and in its advisories.
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.
Hurricane names for 2025 season
Here are the names for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, along with how to pronounce them.
National Hurricane Center map: See what forecasters are watching now
Systems currently being monitored by the National Hurricane Center include:
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This story has been updated to include new information.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: National Hurricane Center still tracking Tropical Storm Fernand, 3 tropical waves
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
