Tropical Depression 17 has formed in the Central Atlantic and is likely to become Tropical Storm Paulette at any point in the next 24 hours.

The good news is that this won’t be an issue for the U.S. We’re starting to get the first cold fronts of the season through the eastern U.S. and general troughing over this area should persist over the next 7-10 days. This sets up a steering flow that acts to keep any tropical threats out to sea.

In the wake of Paulette, Rene is likely to form soon as well. However, that also should stay out to sea.