Ask the Meteorologist: What is a Potential Tropical Cyclone?

The National Hurricane Center began issuing advisories Monday for "Potential Tropical Cyclone 1." As is usually the case, the questions started pouring in...and rightfully so. 

2026-06-17

The intent behind issuing these advisories is understood, but the terminology has received pushback since its inception in 2017.

I'll readily admit - I'm one of the meteorologists who doesn't love this terminology. 

It's confusing to people outside of the weather enterprise. 

Let's break down what a Potential Tropical Cyclone is.

What is a cyclone?

"Wait...don't cyclones only form in the Pacific?"

Valid question. In parts of the world, there are hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons that are all referring to the same thing. 

A cyclone, in meteorology, is pretty much any area of low pressure. Low pressure spins counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and can result in storminess. 

Fun fact: cyclogenesis is the formation of a storm system.

What's the point of a Potential Tropical Cyclone?

In order for a system to become tropical, it has to meet a few requirements. 

1. It has to have a warm center to it. Low pressure systems over land are cold at their core. Tropical systems are not. 

2. It has to have sustained winds of at least 39 mph at its center. 

When a system has the potential to turn tropical and is close enough to land, the National Hurricane Center will name it a Potential Tropical Cyclone. 

This allows them to begin issuing advisories, forecast cones and official watches, warnings, etc. 

So...what's up with PTC 1?

Potential Tropical Cyclone 1 is spending some time over warm Gulf waters.

Satellite imagery from Wednesday morning is showing some strong thunderstorm development around its center, so it's possible we briefly get 'Arthur.'

Regardless of a name, it's already resulted in flooding across parts of Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

The storm's window of turning tropical is pretty narrow before moving over land and losing those warm core characteristics. 

Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings are in effect for portions of the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coasts. 

Here at home, this system results in the increased chance of showers and storms Thursday night and Friday. 

Check here for updates on the forecast.

We provide new information to the article linked above at least twice a day.