ORLANDO, Fla. _ The first tropical event of 2020 could form weeks ahead of schedule as forecasters monitor a disturbance that has high odds of becoming a subtropical storm near the Bahamas.
An area of low pressure has a 70% chance of forming near the northeastern part of the Bahamas on Friday, according to the National Hurricane Center's Tuesday night update.
"Environmental conditions appear conducive for gradual development of this system, and a subtropical depression or storm is likely to form this weekend while it moves northeastward over the western Atlantic," said John Cangialosi, an NHC senior hurricane specialist.
Hurricane season doesn't start until June 1, but the past five years have all seen the formation of early tropical systems.
Last year, subtropical storm Andrea formed on May 20 east of the Bahamas, although, the storm did not make landfall and petered out by May 21.
Should the storm form this weekend, it will be named Arthur.
