The 2013 Hurricane season may be nearing its end, but the Island might still feel the impact of a tropical storm.

The National Hurricane Centre, based in Miami, yesterday noted an area of non-tropical low pressure area in the Atlantic drifting towards the Island.

The system was given a medium chance — around 50 percent -of developing into a tropical or subtropical cyclone by tomorrow, and a high chance — 70 percent — of becoming a cyclone over the next five days.

As of last night, the low was around 850 miles east-southeast of Bermuda with gale force winds and travelling north-northwest, but projections indicate the system will travel well to the Island’s east.

Meteorologist Michelle Pitcher of the Bermuda Weather Service said the system is unlikely to have a major impact on the Island.

“We have been mentioning this system for the past few days as it is expected to send some swell into the marine area Tuesday through Wednesday which makes the seas slightly rougher than would be expected due to the current weather conditions,” she said.

“However, the latest model runs of the wave heights in our area have been gradually decreasing the effects of the swell and therefore we may only experience minimal effects.”

She said that it is not unusual for tropical storms to form late in the season, noting that a tropical storm formed ever year between 2007 and 2011, and in 2007 a storm formed as late as December.

Tropical cyclones with maximum sustained surface winds of less than 39mph are usually called tropical depressions, elevating to the classification of tropical storm only once winds reach at least 39mph. Winds speeds must reach 74mph before a system is categorised as a hurricane.