Tropical depressions could form in Caribbean, Atlantic soon, hurricane forecasters say

Oct. 27—Hurricane forecasters on Thursday were tracking two disturbances in the Atlantic and the Caribbean that they say could develop into tropical and subtropical depressions within a few days.

The next available name is Lisa if either strengthens into a tropical storm. It's too early to tell if the disturbances could eventually reach land.

While the tropics are active this year at the end of October, the arrival of November usually marks the end of the busiest part of the Atlantic hurricane season.

About 80% of the systems that have hit the Gulf Coast in the past 100 years have formed in August, September and October, according to the National Weather Service in Slidell.

Related: 60+ nonperishable items to consider for your emergency kit

Here's what to know about the tropics as of 7 a.m. Thursday from the National Hurricane Center.

Disturbance in Caribbean

A tropical depression could form early next week in the Caribbean, forecasters said.

As of Thursday morning, meteorologists were tracking an area of low pressure they say could form over the eastern Caribbean this weekend. It's expected to move west into the Caribbean.

The system has a 50% chance of developing into a tropical depression within five days. The categories, in order of increasing strength, are tropical depression, tropical storm and hurricane (categories 1 through 5).

It's too early to tell if it could reach the Gulf of Mexico.

The shaded area on the graphic is where a storm could develop and is not a path. Forecasters release a track when a tropical depression forms or is about to form.

Disturbance in Atlantic

Forecasters also say a subtropical depression could form during the next couple days in the Atlantic.

As of Thursday, the disturbance is an area of low pressure that stretches from the Caribbean north to the Atlantic, forecasters said.

Conditions appear conducive for gradual subtropical development of the system, forecasters said, while it moves north over the next few days.

It's expected to meander over the Atlantic to the west or southwest of Bermuda. Environmental conditions are expected to be less favorable for development by the end of the weekend.

It has a 40% chance of developing into a tropical or subtropical depression within five days.

Read the full outlook.

Next name is Lisa

So far, there have been 11 named storms this season:

— Alex

— Bonnie

— Colin

— Danielle

— Earl

— Fiona

— Gaston

— Hermine

— Ian

— Julia

— Karl

The next available name is Lisa.

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

What to do now

Now is the time to review hurricane plans and ensure your property is ready for any storm threats. Here are some tips from the National Weather Service:

— 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.

Don't miss a storm update this hurricane season. Sign up for our free Hurricane Center newsletter.

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