The National Hurricane Center has identified an area of stormy weather in the Gulf of Mexico as Potential Tropical Cyclone One. This system is not yet classified as a tropical depression, storm, or hurricane, but it is expected to develop into one within the next 48 hours and poses a threat to land.
In order to be classified as a tropical cyclone, a system must be fueled by warm waters and have thunderstorms rotating in a closed circulation around the center of the system. Potential Tropical Cyclone One currently lacks a closed circulation, which is why it is not considered a tropical cyclone at this time. However, it is forecasted to become better organized and develop winds around a closed circulation in the near future.
With sustained wind speeds of 40 mph, Potential Tropical Cyclone One is projected to be upgraded to Tropical Storm Alberto once it achieves a closed circulation. The strength of a storm is determined by the winds around its center of circulation, with a tropical depression having sustained wind speeds up to 38 mph, a tropical storm ranging from 39 to 73 mph, and a hurricane having sustained wind speeds of 74 mph or greater.
