Peak Hurricane Season: A New Area to Watch
As we reach the statistical peak of hurricane season on September 10, a new area of potential tropical development has been highlighted. According to the National Hurricane Center, a tropical wave is forecast to emerge offshore of west Africa in the coming days, with environmental conditions that could support slow development of the system over the weekend into early next week.
FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist discusses the status of the Atlantic on the peak day of hurricane season.
Located west of Africa, this area has a low chance of development within a week, with an abundance of dry air and wind shear present. However, as FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross notes, attention will turn to the western Caribbean and the southern Gulf in a couple of weeks, where fronts that are becoming more frequent as the seasons change can stir up tropical trouble.
Understanding Tropical Development
The tropical outlook for the Atlantic shows the area of potential development, with the National Hurricane Center monitoring the situation closely. As Norcross explains, strong hurricanes can and do develop close to home in late September and October, making it essential for residents to remain vigilant despite the lull in activity.
(FOX Weather)
It’s essential to understand the difference between a tropical depression, tropical storm, and hurricane. A tropical depression is a rotating system of clouds and thunderstorms that has sustained winds of 38 mph or less. A tropical storm is a rotating system with sustained winds of 39-73 mph, while a hurricane is a rotating system with sustained winds of 74 mph or higher.
Peak Season in Review
Looking back at the 2024 hurricane season, there were 12 named storms that developed after September 10, with the season ending with Sara in mid-November. The western Caribbean and southern Gulf were areas of concern, with hurricanes Helene and Milton causing significant damage and disruption.
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Workers, community members, and business owners clean up debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Marshall, North Carolina on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024.
(Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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A crew works to chainsaw and remove a large tree which fell on McClendon Avenue NE across from Neighborhood Church in the Candler Park neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia on Friday, September 27, 2024.
(David Walter Banks)
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A view of the damaged area at Asheville along with the western part of North-Carolina is devastated by the heavy rains and flooding after Hurricane Helene in Asheville, on September 30, 2024.
(Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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A drone image shows the dome of Tropicana Field which has been torn open due to Hurricane Milton in St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 10, 2024.
(BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP)
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Flooding in Fort Myers, Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton’s landfall on Oct. 9, 2024.
(Photo: Brandy Campbell/FOX Weather)
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A police vehicle blocks an intersection where a traffic signal pole snapped n the downtown business area after Hurricane Milton passed through on October 10, 2024 in Orlando, Florida.
(Photo by Paul Hennessy/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Staying Prepared
As we approach the midpoint of hurricane season, it’s essential to remember that it only takes one storm to cause major problems. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and stay prepared, with the next name on the Atlantic list being Gabrielle, followed by Humberto, Imelda, and Jerry.
An overview of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season as of Sept. 10, 2025.
(FOX Weather)
For the latest updates and information on hurricane season, download the FOX Weather app. Stay informed and stay safe with the latest forecasts and warnings.
Read more about the peak hurricane season and the area to watch Here.
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