Satellite imagery can help determine the strength, size and cohesion of a storm. The stronger a storm becomes, the more likely an eye will form in the center. When the eye looks symmetrical, that often means the storm is not encountering anything to weaken it. Sara is the 18th named storm to form in the Atlantic in 2024.

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center are urging residents of the eastern Gulf Coast, particularly Floridians, to monitor the forecast closely because there could be an opening for the storm to reach the US next week.

With about three weeks remaining in the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, meteorologists say there's a high chance a new tropical storm could form in days.AccuWeather hurricane experts issued a high risk for potential tropical development