The National Hurricane Center was watching three Atlantic systems overnight into Aug. 22, two of which were drifting away from North America and one that is emerging off Africa and making its way westward.
All systems have low chances for development right now, according to the latest NHC tropical weather outlook, as the 2026 hurricane season moves toward its most-active time of year historically.
Residents should still be aware of tropical weather. The Atlantic hurricane season has been relatively quiet this summer — although the Pacific season has become extremely busy — but disturbances picked up in the last week, and Tropical Storm Christobal briefly formed to become the third-named storm of the season. Experts say the busiest time of the Atlantic hurricane season traditionally falls between mid-August and mid-October.
If a named storm should develop, it would be called Dolly.
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AccuWeather lowers its 2026 hurricane predictions
In an updated hurricane season forecast released Aug. 19, AccuWeather decreased its prediction for the number of named storms this season but warned that residents should remain prepared. Three to five direct impacts on the United States are predicted and, as the saying goes, it only takes one.
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Here’s the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center as of 2 a.m., Aug. 22:
Is there a hurricane coming to Florida?
No. As of 2 a.m. Aug. 22, the National Hurricane Center said there is one tropical disturbance in the northeastern Atlantic, another in the Central Atlantic and a third in the eastern tropical Atlantic. All have a low chance for development.
The disturbance in the North Atlantic is more likely to head toward Europe rather than east to the U.S., forecasters said.
There are also four tropical waves out there, but strong wind shear and dry air have so far prevented further development.
Over 60% of the Atlantic’s total hurricane activity occurs between Aug. 20 and Sept. 30, according to Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist at WeatherTiger. While predictions are for a below-normal season, forecasters constantly warn “it only takes one” for the season to have an impact if a storm hits your area.
Historically, the fourth-named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season occurs Aug. 15, with the first hurricane appearing Aug. 11 and the first major hurricane developing Sept. 1, according to NOAA.
A major hurricane is one that’s at least a Category 3 or stronger, with maximum sustained winds of 111 mph or stronger.
National Hurricane Center tracking tropical waves, two areas of low pressure
At 2 a.m. Aug. 22, the National Hurricane Center was highlighting three areas in the Atlantic:
Northeastern Atlantic: Forecasters said a strong non-tropical area of low pressure is located over thenortheastern Atlantic several hundred miles west-northwest of the coast of Portugal. This system could acquire some subtropical or tropical characteristics Saturday or early Sunday while it moves east-southeastward at 10 to 15 mph toward Portugal and northwestern Spain. The opportunity for tropical or subtropical developmentshould end by Sunday night.
Central Subtropical Atlantic: A weak area of low pressure located over the central subtropical Atlantic a few hundred miles east-southeast of Bermuda is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms, the NHC tropical weather outlook states. Development of this system, if any, is expected to be slow to occur while it drifts westward through Sunday and then accelerates northward early next week.
Eastern Tropical Atlantic: A tropical wave is expected to move off the west coast of Africa on Monday, forecasters said. An area of low pressure may form in association with the wave soon after it moves off the coast, and subsequent development will be possible while the system moves westward at 15 to 20 mph across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic through the end of next week.
Forecasters also are watching four tropical waves:
Florida weather radar for Aug. 22, 2026
Weather watches and warnings issued in Florida
National Hurricane Center tracking Hurricane Lala, Tropical Storm Moke in Pacific
When is hurricane season in Florida?
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.
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The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of America, as the Gulf of Mexico is now known in the U.S. per an order from President Trump.
Countdown clock to end of 2026 Atlantic hurricane season
What is a disturbance?
The National Hurricane Center’s tropical outlook map highlights “disturbances” in the Atlantic basin.
These are clusters of storms with some organization, but which don’t have a defined circulation typical of tropical cyclones. Colors on the map indicate chances for development:
What is a tropical wave?
“Tropical waves are clusters of showers and thunderstorms that act as the seedlings for many tropical storms throughout the Atlantic season,” said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert, via email.
“There are about 60 tropical waves that move across the Atlantic each year, and roughly 10 percent to 15 percent of them develop into a tropical system. That’s about one in seven,” he said, adding that tropical waves contribute to about 80% of all major hurricanes.
How many tropical storms, hurricanes are in a typical season?
The 30-year average, from 1991 to 2020, is for 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.
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.
What are names for 2026 Atlantic hurricane season?
Here are the names for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season and how to pronounce them:
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What’s next?
We will continue to update our tropical weather coverage to bring you the most current information you need to protect your home and family.
John Gallas, C. A. Bridges and Cheryl McCloud are journalists for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: National Hurricane Center tracks 3 far-flung weekend Atlantic systems
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Reporting by John Gallas, C. A. Bridges and Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Naples Daily News
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By John Gallas, C. A. Bridges and Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
