U.S. oil producers on Monday were scrambling to evacuate staff from Gulf of Mexico oil production platforms as forecasters predicted the second major hurricane in two weeks could 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.

A tropical disturbance is actively strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico as it heads toward the Big Bend and Florida Panhandle region of the coast.

U.S. offshore oil producers were taking initial steps ahead of a storm predicted to become a hurricane in the middle of the week, evacuating non-essential staff from Gulf of Mexico production platforms.

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