Gyre Could Spark Early Tropical Storms Ahead of Hurricane Season

As the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season approaches its official start on June 1, meteorologists are issuing an early alert: a broad area of low pressure known as a Central American Gyre is expected to form in mid-May. This system could spark tropical development before the season even begins.

What Is a Central American Gyre?

A Central American Gyre, or CAG, is a sprawling, slow-spinning circulation of low pressure that typically forms over or near Central America. Unlike compact tropical cyclones, CAGs cover an enormous area, often stretching from the eastern Pacific to the western Caribbean. These gyres can persist for days, even weeks, setting the stage for tropical storms or hurricanes on either side of the region.

This weather feature doesn't always lead to tropical development, but it creates highly favorable conditions for it—especially when sea surface temperatures are warm and wind shear is low. The gyre acts like a tropical breeding ground, supplying moisture and instability over a broad region.