Disturbance heading for Gulf has become 'a little better organized,' hurricane forecasters say

A tropical disturbance heading for the Gulf of Mexico has become "a little better organized," hurricane forecasters said Thursday.

The system is expected to move over the water toward Mexico and southern Texas, according to the 1 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center.

The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters are scheduled to investigate the system on Friday, if necessary.

Meanwhile, the Atlantic is expected to be quiet for the next 48 hours, forecasters said.

Latest forecast

As of 1 p.m. Thursday, the tropical wave was over northern Guatemala and southern Mexico. The showers and thunderstorms associated with it have become "a little better organized" since Wednesday, forecasters said.

The system is expected to emerge Friday over the Bay of Campeche in the Gulf of Mexico, where it could form an area of low pressure.

Some gradual development is possible while that low pressure system moves northwest over the Gulf, forecasters said.

It has a 30% chance of developing into at least a tropical depression within five days. If it strengthens into a tropical storm, the next available name is Danielle.

The system is expected to move inland over northeast Mexico by Saturday night.

See the full outlook.

Busiest time of the season

The busiest time of the Atlantic hurricane season is getting started.

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 at 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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