MIAMI, FL (352today.com) – Meteorologists from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) are keeping their eyes on a couple of tropical disturbances including one that has the potential to develop next week and impact the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Right now, the NHC has designated the disturbance in the western Caribbean as Invest 93L or AL93.

POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT
The NHC says Invest 93L shower and thunderstorm activity continues to show signs of organization in association with an area of low pressure located near the Yucatan Channel. The NHC’s tropical weather outlook as of 8 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, indicates conditions appear conducive to further development of the system. The NHC says there’s a 70% chance it will form into a tropical depression within the next day or two while it moves northward over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.

EXPLAINING THE TERMS
An “invest” area refers to an area of disturbed weather that meteorologists are actively investigating for signs of tropical cyclone (hurricane) development. The letters “AL” stand for the Atlantic basin. The Atlantic Basin is the area where the NHC monitors and tracks tropical cyclones that form in the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. The NHC assigns numbers from 90-99 to help organize their tracking and communication efforts while monitoring disturbances in the vast bodies of water.

For example, “Invest 93L” or “AL93” would indicate the 93rd invest area being tracked in the Atlantic basin.

It’s important to note that these invest areas are not yet designated as tropical depressions, storms, or hurricanes; they are simply areas that have potential for development.

HOW TO PREPARE
While the impact of Invest 93L is extremely uncertain at this time and there’s no reason to fear the worst, it’s still good to prepare your family for the possibility of impact from any tropical activity this season. Remember, the Atlantic hurricane season doesn’t end until Nov. 30. This weekend is a good time to revisit your plan and refresh your storm supplies as Florida’s hurricane season tax-free holiday begins this weekend and continues through Sept. 8. Click here for a complete list of answers to frequently asked questions.

RELATED:  Hurricane prep supplies sold tax-free this weekend, until Sept. 8

HOT WEEKEND FORECAST FOR NORTH-CENTRAL FLORIDA
If you are planning to do any storm preparations this weekend, keep in mind that the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a heat advisory for parts of north-central Florida on Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. with heat index values up to 100 degrees expected. Stay safe by drinking plenty of fluids. Seek relief inside or in the shade outside. Don’t leave children and pets in vehicles. Check on elderly relatives and neighbors.

Today: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5 p.m. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 107. Calm wind becoming east 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 7 p.m. Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Southeast wind 3 to 8 mph.

Sunday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 106. Calm wind becoming northeast 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. East wind 6 to 9 mph.