ORLANDO, Fla. — The first tropical wave of the year rolled off the coast of Africa on Monday.
Channel 9 meteorologist Brian Shields said this is about the time of year these waves start moving off the continent into the Atlantic and serves as a sign that hurricane season is right around the corner.
Read More Shields said in a year, mainly throughout hurricane season, about 60 tropical waves come off the coast of Africa and march across the Atlantic.
Early in the season, which starts June 1, the waves won’t develop. But later in the summer as the conditions become more favorable, the waves can develop into long-track tropical storms and hurricanes.
Read: What is El Nino and why does it matter during hurricane season?
SEE: Storm names for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season
Hurricane season names These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV Staff)
Arlene These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV Staff)
Bret These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV Staff)
Cindy These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV Staff)
Don These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV Staff)
Emily These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV Staff)
Franklin These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV Staff)
Gert These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV Staff)
Harold These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV Staff)
Idalia These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV Staff)
Jose These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV Staff)
Katia These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV Staff)
Lee These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV Staff)
Margot These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV Staff)
Nigel These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV Staff)
Ophelia These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV Staff)
Philippe These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV Staff)
Rina These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV Staff)
Sean These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV Staff)
Tammy These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV Staff)
Vince These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV Staff)
Whitney These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV Staff)
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