Tropical weather likely in Gulf

It’s still too early to predict track of possible storm

A broad surface low forming in the Gulf of Honduras has a high chance of developing into a tropical depression or storm that could threaten Texas, according to the National Weather Service.

The disturbance is expected to continue to develop as it moves northwest across the Yucatan Peninsula. There is now an 80 percent chance for the disturbance to develop into a tropical depression or storm somewhere within the Gulf of Mexico over the next five days.

It is still too early to predict a potential track for where the disturbance could form.

“Before the storm develops, it’s pretty hard to determine where the system will move,” said Nikki Hathaway, meteorologist for the National Weather Service’s Houston-Galveston office. “At this time, it’s a strong uncertainty of where it will form and how it will track.”

Tropical Storm Arlene developed earlier this year in April, so this next tropical system would be the second one of the season, Hathaway said.

A hurricane hunter aircraft is expected to investigate the disturbance on Sunday, if necessary, which Hathaway said is standard protocol.

Forecasters predict an above average season this year, with 11 to 17 named storms.