Tropics: Tropical Storm Bill has formed over the Atlantic, Gulf cyclone forming

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The tropics are waking up!

Bill has formed off The North Carolina coast and is heading out to sea.

The next cyclone will form in The Gulf .

 There’s also a strong wave moving off the African coast into the Atlantic. This will have a low chance of development before wind shear and dry air inhibits any formation.

It’s a good reminder that hurricane season is here and the time to prepare is now. Make sure you have had conversations with your loved ones about what you would do if a storm were to threaten.

This year, NOAA released the new seasonal averages for the Atlantic basin. According to the 30-year data from 1991 to 2020, the new averages include 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. The previous Atlantic storm averages, based on the period from 1981 to 2010, were 12 named storms, 6 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. The averages from 1951-1980 , were 11 named storms, 5 hurricanes and 1 major.

The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30.