Hurricane forecasters are eyeing more storms as Helene threatens the US

Environmental conditions appear to be conducive to further development of this system and a tropical depression could form as early as Thursday, moving generally west to west-northwest at about 15 mph (24 km/h).

The system is then expected to slow and turn northward late Friday and Saturday. If it becomes a named storm, it would likely be named Joyce.

It is currently too early to determine whether the system will have any impact on land areas.

Hurricane John hits Mexico

In the Pacific Ocean, Hurricane John continues to plague the west coast of Mexico, threatening further heavy rainfall and landslides.

John made landfall for the first time on Monday at major hurricane force, triggering floods and landslides that destroyed homes and killed at least five people. Its remnants brought heavy rains to several states home to major ports and seaside resorts before intensifying again.

The storm moved back into the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday and the hurricane center is now forecasting that John will make landfall on the Mexican mainland again on Thursday.

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Average hurricane season so far?

A total of nine named tropical storms have formed in the Atlantic so far this season. Of these nine storms, five have strengthened into hurricanes. The season is about average in terms of the storms mentioned, which is a far cry from preseason forecasts of an extremely active, perhaps record-breaking season.

According to Colorado State University, a typical year sees 14 named storms, seven of which are hurricanes.

Contributors: Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY Network; Reuters