Very warm waters, steering currents and other factors point to the Gulf as the main area of concern for tropical development over the next couple of weeks, AccuWeather meteorologists say. Other systems may form farther east over the Atlantic basin, but Gulf development would allow the least time for U.S. coastal preparations.

"The western Caribbean and Gulf will be monitored closely starting around Sept. 18, continuing through at least the end of September," AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said.

"A storm may develop in that zone and move toward the United States. Due to the formation so close to land, storms that develop in this area would leave coastal residents with the least preparation time," DaSilva said.

On average, based on typical steering currents, a tropical sto

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