Janice R. Andrews
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is keeping an eye on two tropical waves in the Atlantic, one of which is in the Gulf of Mexico. These waves could bring heavy rain and strong winds to parts of the US in the next few days. Forecasters are keeping a close eye on tropical systems that could change the way the weather works along the Gulf Coast and in the southeastern U.S.
The Gulf of Mexico system could have an effect on Louisiana and Texas
It is especially important to worry about the storm in the Gulf of Mexico because it could bring bad weather to Texas and Louisiana early next week. Bob Smerbeck, a senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, says the storm will “stew around” over the weekend and might move toward South Texas by Monday.
Smerbeck said that directing flow patterns would probably move the storm further along the Gulf Coast. Later in the week, this could have an effect on Louisiana and the Mississippi River Valley. “You need to be ready for a system that is moving,” he said. The storm could bring heavy rain and strong winds, which could cause flooding in places that are already prone to water buildup.
Florida’s Panhandle and Big Bend Are On High Risk for Floods
Also, a flood watch stayed in place until Saturday night for the coastal areas of Florida’s Big Bend and Panhandle, which means that heavy rains are still a risk. This warning comes after recent weather problems in the area. However, neither of the tropical waves that the NHC is keeping an eye on is likely to break the unusual lack of Atlantic storm activity over the last few weeks.
An Unusual Period of Quiet During Hurricane Season
Even though it was thought to be a very busy hurricane season, there have been no named storms since August 12. Phil Klotzbach, a senior storm scientist at Colorado State University, says this is the first time in 56 years that there has been quiet like this. This year, there have only been five named storms, and three of them have become hurricanes. This is a far cry from the 25 named storms that were originally predicted.
There are still almost three months left in the hurricane season, though, and experts warn that conditions are still right for a sudden rise in storm activity.
The National Hurricane Center is keeping an eye on two tropical waves.
As of now, the NHC is following the first tropical wave. It is over the Bay of Campeche, which is west of the Yucatán Peninsula. Right now, this system is causing scattered showers and thunderstorms in the Gulf of Mexico in the southwest, in southeastern Mexico, and in Guatemala.
The system is moving slowly north-northwest over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, and the NHC says it could turn into a tropical depression by early or mid-next week. The area’s warm seas may help it grow, which could make it stronger and more organized as it gets closer to the U.S. coast. Forecasters think that this storm will form within the next seven days 60% of the time.
In the eastern and central warm Atlantic Ocean, there is a second system. Rain and thunderstorms are also being caused by this tropical wave, and low pressure could form over the next few days. As it goes west-northwest, there is a 30% chance that it will organize into a better system.
How do you describe a tropical wave?
Tropical waves, despite their name, are not waves in the ocean. Instead, they are things that happen in the atmosphere. These long bands of low pressure move from east to west across the tropics. They usually start off the coast of Africa. AccuWeather says that tropical waves are very important for the growth of tropical cyclones, which can then turn into tropical storms or hurricanes.
The NHC keeps a close eye on these waves because they can be the start of big storms that can do a lot of damage and make life difficult for many people.
Atlantic Storm Tracker: What to Expect as the Hurricane Season Gets Busier
Even though the 2024 hurricane season has been less active than predicted, meteorologists warn that the busiest time of the year is usually around September 10, and there is still a good chance that more storms will happen. A climate prediction center scientist named Dan Harnos said that the warm water temperatures across much of the Atlantic could make more storms happen in the next few weeks.
Harnos told USA TODAY, “There’s a lot of room for the tide to turn.” “Things might shift quickly.” With almost three months to go, the season will end on December 1. Experts are telling coastal towns to stay alert and ready.
In conclusion, staying ready as the season goes on
The systems that the NHC is watching may not be immediate dangers, but because hurricane season is hard to predict, things can change quickly. People who live along the Gulf Coast and in the southeastern U.S. should stay aware and ready for any effects that might happen in the next few weeks as tropical waves continue to form and weather patterns change.
