Hurricane Nigel forms in central Atlantic, forecast to become major storm by Tuesday

ORLANDO, Fla. — Hurricane Nigel formed Monday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center.

▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

Nigel is forecast to rapidly intensify into a major hurricane by Tuesday.

Hurricane Nigel has maximum sustained winds of around 80 mph and is moving northwest at 12 mph.

See: ‘Make it Rain’: Ocala adds new sculpture to public art collection

Thankfully, forecast data shows Nigel is projected to stay out to sea and far away from Florida.

Nigel could still push dangerous rip currents and rough seas to Florida’s east coast.

Another tropical disturbance off the coast of the Carolinas may briefly develop this week.

Watch: Low-pressure area develops off Florida coast during the upcoming week

Channel 9 meteorologists are also monitoring a strong tropical wave that is moving off of Africa.

That area should develop slowly later this week.

Follow our Severe Weather team on X for live updates:

• Chief meteorologist Tom Terry
  
• Kassandra Crimi
  
• George Waldenberger
  
• Brian Shields
  

See: New crosswalk in Orlando pays homage to Lake Eola’s iconic swans

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 14

Post-tropical cyclone Lee: Waves crash ashore from Post-tropical cyclone Lee on Saturday in Lubec, Maine. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 26

Hurricane season names These are the names for storms that develop during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. (WFTV.com News Staff)

©2023 Cox Media Group