Third disturbance spotted in the Atlantic Ocean, hurricane forecasters say

Hurricane forecasters are now tracking three disturbances in the Atlantic Ocean, all of which are unlikely to develop into tropical cyclones within in the next couple of days. 

The newest area of concern is a tropical wave west of Africa, National Hurricane Center forecasters said in an afternoon update Tuesday. Situated just south of Cabo Verde, the wave could develop somewhat later this week as it moves west-northwest over the tropical Atlantic. 

It has a 20% chance of forming into a tropical cyclone within the next week. 

Area of low pressure headed toward the U.S. 

The system has just a 10% chance of becoming a tropical cyclone in the next seven days. 

The 2023 hurricane season

The return of El Niño could bring a wetter second half of the year to Louisiana and a reduced risk of hurricanes.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s Climate Prediction Center announced March 9 that La Niña, which usually causes more hurricanes to form in the Atlantic, was officially over after an unusually long three years.

El Niño and its sister La Niña are part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation cycle, a set of conditions over the Pacific Ocean that affects weather patterns across the world. In Louisiana, the biggest effects involve hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean.