NHC increases tropical development chance over the northeastern Gulf of Mexico

The National Hurricane Center has increased the probability of a low over the northeastern Gulf of Mexico becoming a tropical cyclone to 50 percent.

Showers and thunderstorms associated with the feature have increased and become better organized during the overnight hours.

Conditions in the area are marginally favourable for additional development over the next day or so, and a short-lived tropical depression or storm could form over that time span as the system meanders over the northeastern Gulf of Mexico.

An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is scheduled to investigate the system later today.

Today marks the first day of the Atlantic hurricane season. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from today to November 30. The first named storm will be Arlene.