A tropical economic crisis and tropical storm are currently blowing through the Atlantic . They are creating the potential for one blaze of a rare event by Tuesday : two storms in the Gulf of Mexico at the same time . Not only would this be historical weather - wise ; it would stretch disaster reply resources even more slight than common , creating a terrifying situation for Gulf Coast communities .
Right now , Tropical Storm Laura and Tropical Depression 14 are swirling in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico respectively . The former is approach the northerly Caribbean island of Barbuda and could guide toward Puerto Rico this weekend . Both island were battered by Hurricane Maria and while Laura wo n’t be anywhere near as strong , it still poses a risk . Meanwhile Tropical Depression 14 is anticipate to become Tropical Storm Marco later today and churn toward the Yucatan Peninsula this weekend .
Both storms will coiffure phonograph record for the earliest “ L ” and “ M ” storm , severally , proceed the breakneck rate ofAtlantic hurricane time of year . They ’ll also both belike reach hurricane status by late this weekend or early next week as they put down the heart of the Gulf of Mexico where abnormally warm waters ( thanks climate modification ) will ply the heat they involve to rage up . This is super rare with 1933 being the only other prison term on book two hurricanes have occupied the Gulf of Mexico at the same meter , as the story conditions mathematical function below shows .
The GFS model forecast showing two hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico early next week. Because of course.Gif: Earth Wind Map
Let ’s hope we do n’t see a similar weather condition map to September 4 , 1933 in a few days . Twin tempest jeopardize the U.S. mainland is not unprecedented , but * is * exceedingly rare . Also : photo increment along the sea-coast from Texas to the Carolinas is exponential from 1933 to today.pic.twitter.com/7rcHLj4Ik2
— Steve Bowen ( @SteveBowenWx)August 20 , 2020
As terrific as that prospect is , there ’s a silver lining to this rare occurrence that might keep each storm in check . Meet the Fujiwhara effect . This phenomenon happens when two cyclones are within about 900 mile of each other . Because of the force of the winds and rain , the two storm rotate around a shared nitty-gritty before going their own way . Wild and very on - brand for 2020 , yes . But it also intend the two tempest sort of fight each other .
As a result , they weaken , said Jeff Masters , a meteorologist with Yale Climate Connections . One or both may countermine to the point of dissipation . On even rarer occasions , they may form one storm — but this would n’t be some sort of megastorm . It would keep the same force of the storms when they were separate . The Fujiwhara effect can reduce the shock of the storms involved because they ’re so busy blister and lashing at each other that coastal community wo n’t get as much of it .
“ In general , it ’s a good thing for people on the ground , ” Masters articulate . “ At least one of the storm is going to step down as a result of it , and maybe both of them will . ”
This phenomenon is much more common in the Pacific Ocean because that body of water see a higher number of storms than the Atlantic . However , this Atlantic hurricane seasoncontinuestosurpriseus . The last fourth dimension this happen in the Atlantic was in 2005 whenHurricane Wilma feed Tropical Storm Alphaafterramminginto Florida .
Both of the current tropical cyclones are expected to make U.S. landfall early next calendar week , harmonize to the modish National Hurricane Center forecast . If that hap , it would be another historic event . Masters said he ’s more apprehensive about Tropical Storm Laura , which has the potency to cause some more serious damage .
With the pandemic in full rage , the South does n’t ask another disaster to come knock . Unfortunately , hurricane time of year has n’t even attain its peak yet , and the forecast for the next few weeks looks very active . Buckle up , y’ all .
Correction , 8/22/20 , 9:00 a.m. : This post has been update to mull over that Tropical Storm Marco is expected , not Kyle , which already organize . There ’s been too many storms this class .
Gulf of Mexicohurricane time of year
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