Tropical weather in North Carolina | Potential tropical developments near the Bahamas could impact the Southeast late this week

The National Weather Service has reported two areas with the potential to become a tropical depression.

A tropical depression is an area of ​​low pressure located in the center of a group of thunderstorms. Depressions are numbered by the National Hurricane Center.

South West Atlantic Ocean

An area of ​​low pressure is expected to form by mid-week a few hundred kilometers northeast of the central Bahamas. There is a 30% chance of development.

The NWS said environmental conditions may be conducive to some development of this system as it moves west or west-northwest.

According to ABC11 Meteorologist Steve Stewart, this likely won't impact North Carolina, but we could see some tropical moisture heading into the Carolinas late this week.

Southwest Gulf of Mexico

There is a 60% chance of tropical development with a low near the Yucatan Peninsula, which is expected to move into the Bay of Campeche in the coming days.

According to the NWS, environmental conditions appear conducive to the gradual development of this system. A tropical depression could form by mid-week as it slowly moves west or west-northwest.

Heavy rain is expected in parts of southern Mexico and Central America, likely to cause life-threatening flooding and flash floods.

Difference between hurricanes, tropical storms and tropical depressions

When a depression supports winds greater than 39 mph, it is called a tropical storm.

If a storm develops strong rotation and wind speeds exceed 74 mph, we have a hurricane. Hurricanes are classified in categories 1 to 5.