U.S. oil producers were scrambling on Monday to evacuate staff from Gulf of Mexico oil production platforms as the second major hurricane in two weeks was predicted to tear through offshore oil producing fields.

The National Hurricane Center said Monday it is tracking a system in the Gulf of Mexico that could become Tropical Storm Helene in the coming days.

Here's how other meteorological factors, like atmospheric pressure and cold fronts will help steer tropical activity away from the Texas Gulf Coast.