Tropical storm possible in Atlantic: NHC

Raindrops are seen on a window pane near cranes at the downtown area of Miami June 13, 2007.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A low pressure system west-southwest of the Cape Verde Islands could develop into the first tropical cyclone of the Atlantic hurricane season during the next two days, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said Monday.

The NHC is also watching a tropical wave producing showers and thunderstorms near the Windward Islands in Caribbean. The federal center gave the Windward system a small chance - less than 30 percent - of developing into a tropical storm during the next 48 hours.

But the Cape Verde system off the west coast of Africa could become a tropical depression during the next day or two as it moves west at 10 to 15 miles per hour (16 to 24 km per hour), the NHC said. The center said there was a "medium" chance - 30 percent to 50 percent - the system could become a tropical storm during the next 48 hours.

The weather models do not expect the Cape Verde system to threaten land during the next five days as it moves westward over the Atlantic Ocean.

If either system develops into a tropical storm with winds of 39 to 73 mph, it would be named Ana, the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.

By this time last year, there were already five named storms in the Atlantic basin.

Energy traders watch for storms that could enter the Gulf of Mexico and threaten U.S. oil and natural gas platforms and refineries along the coast.

Commodities traders likewise watch storms that could hit agriculture crops such as citrus and cotton in Florida and other states along the coast to Texas.

(Reporting by Scott DiSavino; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)