The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is tracking multiple systems in the Atlantic Basin - a reminder that August marks the seasonal peak for hurricane activity. Although no systems currently pose an immediate landfall threat, U.S. farmers and ag transport operators are being cautioned to stay alert as tropical development intensifies.

Area #1: Off the Southeast Coast

A weak low-pressure system hovering a few hundred miles off the Southeast U.S. coast is being monitored for development. While it's expected to drift northeastward and stay offshore, the system could evolve into a tropical or subtropical storm by early next week. For U.S. agriculture, the most immediate impact may be high surf and rip currents, especially from southeast New England to North Carolina.

These conditions could hamper port operations, delay fertilizer shipments, and increase coastal erosion on farmland in flood-prone zones.

Area #2: Eastern Atlantic Watch

A tropical wave emerging in the eastern Atlantic has a higher development potential and could organize into a tropical storm by the weekend. While current model guidance indicates a track north of the Leeward Islands and away from the U.S., the system is one of several disturbances expected to roll off the West African coast - the region that often births lotrack hurricanes.

"This is classic August hurricane activity," said NOAA forecaster Jonathan Erdman. "Warm waters, low wind shear, and rising atmospheric moisture are all coming together to support development."

Ag Interests Should Watch Mid-August Window

With Tropical Storm Dexter dissipating and the next storm (potentially Erin) looming, agricultural stakeholders are focused on the August 16-17 window, when a new tropical wave could enter the Caribbean with development potential.

If the storm curves toward the Gulf Coast, impacts could be significant. This region is home to millions of acres of cotton, rice, soybeans, and sugarcane, along with livestock operations and critical export infrastructure. A major storm event could stall harvests, flood fields, or damage processing and storage facilities - as seen during previous hurricanes like Ida and Laura.

Preparedness and Risk Management

With crop insurance deadlines passed and harvest season approaching, this is a crucial time for producers to review their disaster preparedness plans, from equipment relocation to supply chain rerouting.

Experts also note that tropical systems can bring both destructive winds and drought-relieving rainfall, depending on their track. For drought-stricken zones inland, remnants of a tropical system could offer temporary relief - if flooding doesn't follow.

Storm Names to Watch: Erin and Fernand

The next named storms in the Atlantic Basin will be Erin and Fernand, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

For now, ag producers in the Southeast, Delta, and Mid-Atlantic should maintain situational awareness. "Once systems enter the Caribbean or Gulf, things can escalate quickly," Erdman noted.