The National Hurricane Center is tracking a system in the Atlantic that has a high chance of strengthening into a tropical depression or storm.

Editor's Note: The system in the Atlantic could become Tropical Storm Gabrielle. See the latest update for Wednesday, Sept. 17.

A system brewing in the Atlantic has a high chance of becoming a tropical depression or storm in the next couple of days, according to the National Hurricane Center.

In an early morning advisory on Tuesday, Sept. 16, the hurricane center said it is keeping an eye on a "large area of showers and thunderstorms" that continues to show signs of organization. The system, currently labeled as Invest 92L, is located about midway between the Windward Islands and the western coast of Africa, according to forecasters.

Forecasters said in the advisory that environmental conditions are conducive for further development of this system, and that a tropical depression or storm is "likely to form in the next day or two" as the system moves in a general northwestward direction. The NHC gives the system an 80% chance of formation through the next 48 hours.

If maximum sustained winds reach at least 39 mph, it would become Gabrielle, the seventh named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.

Also in the Atlantic, forecasters are tracking another tropical wave that is emerging off the west coast of Africa that is currently producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms. The hurricane center said some slow development of this system is possible toward the middle to latter part of this week, giving it a 20% chance of formation through the next seven days.

Tropical Storm Mario weakening in the Pacific

Meanwhile in the Pacific, Tropical Storm Mario's maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 50 mph with higher gusts.

Further weakening is forecast Tuesday, Sept. 16, according to an advisory from the NHC, with Mario expected to become a remnant low in the next day or so. The storm is located about 375 miles west of the southern tip of Baja California, and there are no coastal watches or warnings in effect.

While Mario is quickly fading, the hurricane center said it is also tracking a trough of low pressure located several hundred miles off the coast of southern Mexico that is producing disorganized showers and thunderstorms.

Forecasters said environmental conditions appear conducive for additional development of this system, and a tropical depression is likely to form during the middle to latter part of this week as it moves west-northwestward.

The next named storm in the Pacific will be called Narda.

Storm tracker

This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.

How do hurricanes form?

Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression.

A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reach 39 mph. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.

Prepare now for hurricanes

Delaying potentially lifesaving preparations could mean waiting until it’s too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends.

  • Develop an evacuation plan. If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there.
  • Assemble disaster supplies. Whether you’re evacuating or sheltering in place, you’re going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for a possibly lengthy aftermath, NOAA said.
  • Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions. Contact your insurance company or agent now and ask for an insurance checkup to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance don’t cover flooding, so you’ll need a separate policy for those. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent or the National Flood Insurance Program.
  • Create a family communication plan. NOAA says you should take the time now to write down a hurricane plan and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation.
  • Strengthen your home. Now is the time to improve your home’s ability to withstand hurricanes. Trim trees and install storm shutters, accordion shutters and impact glass, and seal outside wall openings.

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Could Gabrielle form in the Atlantic? See path tracker

Reporting by Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect