Tropical Update
Currently there are a number of tropical storms affecting the eastern seaboard of the US, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean. These storms are characterized by a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that creates heavy rain and squalls.
Tropical storms still in the Atlantic
Despite the fact that hurricane season is almost over, there are still a few tropical storms still in the Atlantic. It’s hard to say if one or two will make a landfall in the United States. But given the nature of the region, it’s not out of the question.
AccuWeather forecasters are monitoring three areas in the Caribbean where the odds of a tropical system developing are high. The most likely area is near the Windward Islands. Another possibility is near the Southeast coast of the United States. However, the probability of a hurricane making landfall is low.
The National Hurricane Center has highlighted an area of convection 700 miles east of the Bahamas. It’s also been highlighting an area of downpours between the eastern Caribbean and the southwest Atlantic.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued an updated forecast for the hurricane season. This forecast predicted a slightly above-average season. It also predicted that there would be at least two named storms that would become hurricanes.
Tropical storms still in the eastern seaboard of the US
During the hurricane season, the Atlantic coast of the United States is prone to tropical storms. Hurricanes bring heavy rain and strong winds, which can result in severe flooding and damage. Typically, the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. In addition to hurricanes, typhoons and tropical storms also hit the US.
During the 1851-1852 season, three hurricanes impacted the Northeast. These storms produced hurricane-force winds from Cape Cod, Nantucket, Rhode Island and the southern coast of Massachusetts. These storms caused millions of dollars of damage.
In the 1861-1862 season, two hurricanes made landfall in New England. One hurricane produced hurricane-force winds and hurricane-like conditions along the southern coast of Maine. The other hurricane produced hurricane-force winds and hurricane-like conditions along the southern coast of Massachusetts.
Hurricane Bill caused hurricane-force winds and heavy surf along the coast of New England. It also produced torrential rain in Windsor, Vermont. It also produced flooding in New Haven, Connecticut and Providence, Rhode Island.
Tropical depressions and storms in the Caribbean
Despite the hurricane season being over, the Caribbean still has the potential to produce heavy rain and flash flooding. As of this writing, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring two tropical disturbances in the Caribbean.
One of them is poised to become the next named system of the season. Another is forecast to meander along the Bermuda shore for several days. The second area may develop into a subtropical depression soon. The National Hurricane Center says there’s a 50% chance that a tropical depression will form by next weekend. The second area isn’t likely to develop into a hurricane but it’s still forecast to produce heavy rain.
Tropical depressions can feed off deep warm water in the Caribbean Sea. Heavy rain can cause flash flooding and landslides, but the risk to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands is low. However, there are also some risks to the United States.
The National Hurricane Center is also watching another tropical wave in the southwestern Atlantic. The tropical wave has a low chance of developing into a hurricane, but it’s still forecast to produce heavy rain and flash flooding.
Tropical storms still in the Gulf of Mexico
Several tropical storms continue to be present in the Gulf of Mexico, although none is currently threatening Texas or the United States. Hurricanes are tropical cyclones that form in the tropical ocean or Atlantic Ocean, where they are fed by warm moist air. They can cause devastation when they hit land.
One of the storms is expected to intensify into a hurricane later this week. The system in the central Atlantic has a 90% chance of development over the next five days. Another system, located in the Caribbean Sea, has a 40% chance of development. The track is most likely northwest.
Potential Storm Fifteen, currently centered over Belize, is expected to strengthen into a hurricane later this week. It will then move into southeastern Mexico and could make landfall there. The storm is also expected to bring heavy rains to the area.
Two disturbances in the Atlantic are also causing wet weather. The system near Hispaniola has a 90% chance of developing over the next five days. The system in the central Atlantic has 80% of development by Sunday.
