RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Our first system of the 2024 hurricane season developed Monday, but it was called a “potential tropical cyclone.
” So what is that? Let’s first talk about that word: cyclone. Cyclone is just the technical term for a low pressure. So, a potential tropical cyclone is a low pressure (or developing low pressure) that could bring tropical storm, or even hurricane conditions to land within 48 hours, even if it’s not a fully formed tropical storm just yet.
It’s a little complicated, but the reason the National Hurricane Center does this is so they can put out a forecast track with enough time for people in the path to know what is headed their way, and it also allows them to issue vital watches and warnings for people who may feel impacts. The number one thing to know is that the National Hurricane Center does everything in the interest of public safety, so whether it’s a potential tropical cyclone, tropical storm or hurricane, they’ll issue the forecast, watch and warnings, and we’ll pass that along to you on CBS 17..
