Is a tropical storm forming in the Atlantic? The Gulf? East Coast radar, maps, tracker

The National Hurricane Center is keeping an eye on the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of America for potential tropical developments as forecasters say it "won't be long" before the first Atlantic hurricane churns up near the U.S.

A potential tropical depression fizzled out over the Atlantic coast of Florida Wednesday morning, although the storm system is still dumping heavy rains and churning up storms that neared the Carolina coastline on June 4. A "wall of dust" from the Sahara was headed toward Florida this week, a regular weather phenomenon that historically has helped tamper hurricanes from developing or strengthening.

With so much activity swirling in multiple areas of the U.S., it's hard to keep track of it all. Here's what you need to know right here in New Jersey and when or if rain, or even a tropical storm, is expected over the next several days.

Is a tropical storm forming in the Atlantic?

There is not one at the moment.

The low-pressure area that formed near Florida has a zero chance of developing into a tropical storm, but the system was heading up the East Coast near the Carolinas on June 4. There was potential for coastal and local flooding, dangerous rip currents and beach erosion.

Will NJ get rain today, tomorrow? How is NJ weather June 7, June 8?

Forecasters predict a slight chance of isolated showers or a thunderstorm (20% or so), mainly across northwest NJ, on Thursday, June 5. On Friday, June 6, there is a higher chance of rain and possible severe storms with localized damaging wind gusts across the state into the afternoon and evening.

Showers and thunderstorms are likely Saturday, June 7, across the state, although chances tentatively look to be higher in the northwest areas of Jersey. Sunday is expected to be partly to mostly sunny across the state, with forecasters calling for drier conditions.

Is there a tropical storm in the Gulf?

There is not one at the moment, but this slow-spinning massive low-pressure system has strong potential, forecasters say. This one, if it takes shape as early as June 9, could swing toward Louisiana and Florida.

Forecasters are watching potential tropical development between June 8 and June 13 in the western Caribbean and eastern Gulf of America.

Hurricane tracker: Here's an Atlantic storm tracker, NOAA storm tracker

The National Hurricane Center provides dozens of satellite images and radar maps as tropical depressions, storms and hurricanes form that can be accessed here.

To track New Jersey in real-time, here's a map that you can come back and check for updates when rain nears:

Hurricane season 2025: What to know about Atlantic Hurricane season

The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins June 1 and lasts six months, ending on November 30. The "peak" of hurricane season typically falls on Sept. 10, according to AccuWeather.

2025 Atlantic hurricane season names

Storms receive a name once they reach tropical storm strength, with sustained winds of at least 39 mph. Here's this year's 2025 Atlantic hurricane season names:

• Andrea
• Barry
• Chantal
• Dexter
• Erin
• Fernand
• Gabrielle
• Humberto
• Imelda
• Jerry
• Karen
• Lorenzo
• Melissa
• Nestor
• Olga
• Pablo
• Rebekah
• Sebastien
• Tanya
• Van
• Wendy

Tornados in Kansas, Oklahoma

Tropical Storm Alvin, the first named storm of the hurricane season, may have dissipated near the Baja California coast over the past weekend, but its tropical moisture enhanced a storm system in the central Plains that has spawned severe weather and tornados.

Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.