MIAMI — The hurricane season’s first named storm was downgraded to a tropical depression late Saturday morning and then to a remant low as it drifted south in the Gulf of Mexico
In the last advisory from the NHC, the center of Arlene was moving south-southeast at 7 mph as Post-Tropical Cyclone.
Moisture from Arlene will continue to bring showers and storms to extreme South Florida overnight
TRACKING THE TROPICS: Hurricane Center | Hurricane Guide
The system is maintaining sustained winds of 30 mph and higher gusts after winds of 35 mph in the 11 a.m. update. Earlier Saturday it had tropical-storm-force-winds extending out 70 miles.
Post-Tropical Cyclone #Arlene Advisory 10: Arlene Now a Remnant Low. This is the Last Advisory. https://t.co/tW4KeGe9uJ
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) June 3, 2023
The system first became a depression Thursday, the first day of hurricane season.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its annual hurricane season forecast last week and predicted a "near-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic this year."
The outlook calls for 12 to 17 named storms, five to nine hurricanes, and one to four major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or greater.
NOAA meteorologists said there will likely be a high potential for El Niño to develop this summer, which can suppress hurricane activity in the Atlantic.
An elevated El Niño pattern — meaning warmer-than-average Pacific Ocean water — is expected to hinder some Atlantic storms from developing into tropical systems.
The Atlantic hurricane season began Thursday and runs through Nov. 30.
