First tropical wave appears ahead of hurricane season. Here’s what to know

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – The first tropical wave has emerged off the coast of Africa ahead of the 2025 hurricane season.

This tropical wave — a phenomenon defined by the National Weather Service as “an elongated area of relatively low pressure” — is not expected to develop or threaten the U.S. It is, however, another sign that hurricane season is right around the corner.

Hurricane season begins June 1, although storms may form before that date. That’s why the National Hurricane Center starts putting out its Tropical Weather Discussion in mid-May.

The NHC tracks around 60 tropical waves each year. These areas of disturbed weather push westward off the coast of Africa and have the potential to develop into tropical cyclones as they make their way across the Atlantic, if environmental conditions are right.

Although the NHC identifies dozens of tropical waves each year, each hurricane season only sees an average of 14 named storms. A tropical wave alone is not cause for alarm, but they are still worth watching, as 60% of Atlantic storms and 85% of major hurricanes originate from them.

Experts are predicting an above-average hurricane season this year. NOAA researchers are expected to issue their own projections later this week.