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Rare April storm could form in Atlantic Ocean

Only one other named storm has formed in April
Posted at 7:58 AM, Apr 18, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-18 11:06:00-04

Hurricane season doesn't officially start until June 1, but the National Hurricane Center is already watching a disturbance in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

The non-tropical low pressure system has been dubbed Invest 91L, and it's halfway in between Bermuda and the Azores Islands producing gale-force winds.

Forecast models currently predict a 30 percent chance this system could continue to develop into a named storm in the next week as it meanders northward.

If this system continues to grow, and the National Hurricane Center decides to name it, Invest 91L would likely become subtropical storm Arlene.

RELATED: Track tropical weather with the Storm Shield app

April tropical storms are rare.

Since 1912, there have only been five tropical or subtropical systems — three depressions, one subtropical storm and Tropical Storm Ana in 2003.

Early hurricane season forecasts are calling for fewer hurricanes this year with the possibility of an abrupt end if an El Niño develops.

It just looks like this year may be off to an early start.

Follow Storm Shield Meteorologist Jason Meyersvia the Storm Shield appon Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. Download the Storm Shield Weather Radio App for your iPhone or Android device and get severe weather alerts wherever you are. Named by Time.com one of the best weather apps for your iPhone.