3 tropical systems are brewing in Atlantic: What to know Wednesday from hurricane forecasters

Hurricane forecasters on Wednesday afternoon were tracking three disturbances in the Atlantic.

The systems all have the potential to develop into tropical depressions this week, forecasters said. If they strengthen into tropical storms, the next available storm names are Danielle, Earl and Fiona.

Related: 60+ nonperishable items to consider for emergency kit

It is too early to tell if any of the disturbances could reach the continental U.S.

The Gulf of Mexico is expected to be quiet for the next 48 hours.

The shaded area on the graphic is where a storm could develop and is not a track. The National Hurricane Center releases a track when a tropical depression forms or is about to form. The tracks show where the storm could go within five days.

The categories, in order of increasing strength, are tropical depression, tropical storm and hurricane (categories 1 through 5). Systems are named when they develop into a tropical storm.

Here's what to know about the tropics as of 1 p.m. Wednesday from the National Hurricane Center.

Disturbance east of Lesser Antilles

The first system forecasters are tracking is several hundred miles east of the Lesser Antilles.

The Hurricane Hunters checked out the disturbance earlier in the day, and the data showed little change in organization from earlier, forecasters said. It's still producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms.

A tropical depression is likely to form within the next couple days, forecasters said. It's expected to move slowly northwest toward the waters near the Leeward Islands.

It has an 80% chance of developing into at least a tropical depression within five days.

Disturbance near Cabo Verde Islands

Forecasters also are watching a disturbance that's northeast of the Cabo Verde Islands.

It became better organized overnight, and forecasters said a short-lived tropical depression could form during the next couple days.

By late this week, the system is expected to move over cooler waters, limiting further development.

The disturbance could bring heavy rain to parts of the Cabo Verde Islands regardless of development, forecasters said.

The system has a 50% chance of developing into at least a tropical depression within five days.

Disturbance by Azores

An area of low pressure has formed in the Atlantic about 850 miles southwest of the Azores, forecasters said, and it is showing signs of organization.

A tropical depression or subtropical depression is likely to form in the next day or two while the system drifts east, they said.

It has an 80% chance of developing into a tropical depression within five days.

See the full outlook.

Busiest time of the season

This is historically the busiest time of the Atlantic hurricane season.

In the last 100 years, the tropics have been the most active in August, September and October, with Sept. 10 being the peak of the season, according to federal forecasters. About 80% of the systems that have hit the Gulf Coast formed during this time, according to the National Weather Service in Slidell.

So far, there have been three named storms this season - Alex, Bonnie and Colin.

Hurricane season ends Nov. 30, but storms can form any time.

What to do now

Now is the time to review hurricane plans and make sure your property is ready for hurricane season.

Here are some tips from the National Weather Service for how to prepare for the season:

Put together an emergency kit. Here are 60+ nonperishable items to consider including.Check emergency equipment, such as flashlights, generators and storm shutters.Make a plan with your family or close friends and decide how you will get in touch and where you will go if there's an emergency. Here's how to decide if you should evacuate.Plan your evacuation route and have an alternate route. Here are 15 things to do before evacuating.Make a plan for your pets. Here are some tips.If you have a generator, check it and see if any maintenance needs to be done. Don't forget these important generator safety tips.Do any maintenance you've been putting off on your vehicle.Review your insurance policies.Keep your trees around your home trimmed to prevent damage from broken branches. Here's advice from gardening expert Dan Gill.Have materials in advance to board windows to protect them from flying debris.

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Editor's note: This story has been updated with the 1 p.m. outlook from forecasters.