Early activity in the Atlantic

May 21, 2010 3:17 a.m.

MIAMI, Fla. -- - Could there be an early Atlantic storm brewing? Maybe.

Retired National Weather Service meteorlogist Jim Lushine says there is a system that could possibly become a subtropical or tropical storm as soon as this weekend.

But Lushine, who is also keeping a close eye on movements of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, thinks the Atlantic system could be headed in the direction of the border between Florida and Georgia. WPTV Storm Team Meteorologist Keenan Smith also sees it possibly forming by the end of the weekend or early next week. But Keenan says if it does form into a storm, it should stay well away from South Florida.

According to Keenan, "Several reliable forecast models show a disturbance forming north of Hispaniola over the next several days. Typically, early season systems start in the Caribbean and are heavy rain producers. Water temperatures near Hispaniola are right around 80 degrees, which is important for tropical development. Water temps north of that area do drop off, though.

While we'll certainly have to watch this disturbance over the next several days, there is no immediate threat to South Florida. In fact, models have this system moving north towards the Carolinas."

If it becomes an official storm, it would be named "Alex."

Click here to connect with WPTV's HurricanePlus interactive storm map, so you can track all storms this hurricane season, as well as weather conditions in your neighborhood.

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