Hurricane risk in the US Gulf

A storm is developing in the Caribbean, according to Sea AccuWeather. Meteorologists are speculating that due to its strength it could become a hurricane and hit the US Gulf Coast – this could happen next week into the following weekend.

Additionally, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alan Reppert commented that “the tropical storm will move northeast over Jamaica and Cuba over the following week.” It will bring heavy rainfall and winds to these areas. It is not out of the question that it could become a hurricane in the Caribbean before reaching Jamaica or Cuba. The rain could cause flash flooding and difficult travel in some parts of Jamaica and Cuba.”

The tropical storm is coming

In the Caribbean Sea, the water temperature will be warm enough to promote tropical organization and strengthening. Wind shear, so-called disruptive breezes, also remains low in the region. AccuWeather's numerous experts expect a tropical storm to form in the following days.

Possible effects

In both areas where the impacts are more severe, it is important to prevent dangerous situations. In Jamaica and Cuba, the heavy rains – 2.5 to 5 centimeters widespread, with amounts reaching 10 to 20 centimeters – could lead to flash floods, landslides and travel disruptions. Strong wind gusts of 40-60 mph are also expected. AccuWeather has unveiled a RealImpact™ scale for hurricanes – Rating 1 for these islands, which shows localized flooding, damage to unanchored homes, power outages and coastal flooding -.

In addition, AccuWeather experts on the U.S. Gulf Coast are urging residents to closely monitor the storm's development, although the exact path and intensity are not yet defined. The storm could potentially have a significant impact on the region.

Unusual hurricane season

This hurricane season is characterized by activity that is unusual – considering that Hurricane Beryl started early and the activity is interrupted when the peak of the season is usually reached.

So far, five storms have reached the USA. AccuWeather currently estimates that the damage is at $500 billion. “As we end the month of this hurricane season, we expect one to three named storms to occur this month,” DaSilva commented. “Since 1900, there have only been three hurricanes that made landfall in the United States in November. They all ended up in Florida. It is the first time on record that a tropical storm or hurricane has made landfall in Texas or Louisiana this time of year.”

Other tropical activities

In addition to the Caribbean storm, the subtropical storm Patty, which originates in the Atlantic, follows eastwards towards Portugal. AccuWeather experts are also monitoring areas of potential tropical development – the focus of this work is near the southwest Atlantic.

While America's focus is on the upcoming election, weather experts are still closely monitoring the low pressure system in the western Caribbean that appears to be impacting the U.S. later this week – although there is no idea what could happen.

The system, now designated Potential Tropical Cyclone 18, prompted the governments of the Cayman Islands and Jamaica to issue hurricane reports and tropical storm warnings, the National Hurricane Center commented on Sunday. Finally, Cuba should also take care of the situation, because Cuba can also be affected.

Dan Pydynowski, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, explains that if it drifts west of Jamaica and doesn't make landfall in the following days, a tropical storm could strengthen and gain hurricane status the next day.