A disturbance in the Atlantic is likely to become a subtropical cyclone near Bermuda, according to the National Weather Service.
Courtesy: National Weather Service National Hurricane Center / Courtesy: National Weather Service National Hurricane Center

A disturbance near Bermuda is likely to become a subtropical cyclone on Friday, which would make it the first named Atlantic storm of the year, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The system was located about 800 miles east of Bermuda Thursday morning. It was forecast to move over warmer waters Thursday night, with a 70 percent chance of forming into a subtropical cyclone in the next two days.

National Hurricane Center forecasters have been issuing regular updates on tropical weather since May 15 — earlier than usual. Hurricane season doesn’t officially start until June 1.

Announcing the early start to its briefings, the agency noted there had been “recent increased tropical cyclone activity” in late May. Storms formed prior to hurricane season in each of the past six years, according to the center.

Subtropical cyclones differ from tropical cyclones but have the same wind and water impacts on coastal and inland areas, said Dennis Feltgen, the hurricane center’s spokesman. They have received names since 2002.

emily.foxhall@chron.com