Hurricane track for potential Tropical Cyclone Nine includes Tennessee

A system that could become a major storm in the next 72 hours is gaining strength in the Caribbean and it could make its way to Tennessee, according the National Hurricane Center.

The storm system, elevated to “potential tropical cyclone nine” status Monday morning, will continue to brew in the Gulf of Mexico over the next few days and could make landfall somewhere along the Gulf Coast as early as Thursday as a potential Category 3 hurricane.

“Everyone along the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region needs to be prepared for hurricane impacts,” AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said Monday.

If it does continue to grow, it will be the eighth named storm of the year as Helene.

Here’s the latest on the storm, possible paths and its expected impact on Tennessee.

Will Caribbean storm system impact Tennessee?

It is a bit early to determine the full potential impact this storm could have on Tennessee. The latest spaghetti models for possible paths show it hitting across any part of the Volunteer State as it moves inland as well as missing the state entirely. The National Weather Service predicts this storm could bring the rain that was originally expected with Hurricane Francine to Tennessee.

“Think the heaviest rainfall days look like Wednesday through Friday with total amounts approaching several inches. These rainfall forecasts will be refined over the coming days, but it looks like the area will likely see some good rainfall that will at least put a dent in the ongoing drought situation,” according to the forecast discussion from the National Weather Service.

Most of the state is predicted to see rain for the rest of the week, but the storm’s impact will be seen later in the week.

Spaghetti models for Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine

How many storms are forming in the Gulf and Atlantic?

When is hurricane season?

Hurricane season began on June 1 and finishes at the end of November. Before the start of the 2024 hurricane season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted an “above average” season, with 17 to 25 named storms, eight to 13 hurricanes and four to seven major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher.

If the storm in the Caribbean forms as expected it has the potential to be a Category 3, and could become one of the strongest hurricane landfall in the U.S. so far this season, according to DaSilva.

How many storms have been named in the 2024 hurricane season?

In 2024, seven storms have been named so far this season, but not all of them have grown to hurricane status.

The first named storm of the season came on June 19 as Tropical Storm Alberto and the latest named storm, Tropical Storm Gordon, didn’t get much attention as it stayed in the Atlantic until it was declared dead last week, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Here are all of the named storms that have occurred so far in 2024:

• June 19: Tropical Storm Alberto
• July 1: Hurricane Beryl (Category 5 at landfall)
• June 30, July 1: Tropical Storm Chris
• Aug. 5: Hurricane Debby (Category 1 at landfall)
• Aug. 17: Hurricane Ernesto (Category 1 at landfall)
• Sept. 11: Hurricane Francine (Category 2 at landfall)
• Mid-September: Tropical Storm Gordon (died in the Atlantic Ocean)