NHC Lowers Odds for Atlantic System

The National Hurricane Center lowered the chances that a disorganized low-pressure system several hundred miles east of Bermuda will develop into the Atlantic season’s next tropical depression or storm, assigning it a 10% chance over two days and 30% over seven days, down from 40% earlier in the week. Forecasters said conditions could become more favorable as the system moves slowly westward to west-northwestward across the subtropical Atlantic, but there is no current threat to Florida. The next potential named storm would be Fay. The Atlantic has produced five tropical storms—Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly and Edouard—but no hurricanes so far, and activity has been quiet since Edouard reached Louisiana earlier this month. NOAA expects a below-average season, with seven to 13 named storms and two to six hurricanes, while experts continue to urge residents to remain prepared.