Experts are on high alert as an early tropical storm threatens to unleash chaos before hurricane season even begins. A slow-spinning weather system, known as a gyre, may form between May 15–22, potentially bringing heavy rain as far north as South Florida. Experts say this could mark an early start to what’s predicted to be an especially active hurricane season, with nine U.S. hurricanes forecast, four of which may be major. The odds of development remain low, but forecasters urge the public to stay alert as tropical threats could emerge by late May.