Atlantic Hurricane Season, Two Potential Tropical Developments

BY MAGGIE OLIVE KLEIN
KONKLIFE STAFF WRITER AND EDITOR 

The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season is the current cycle of the annual tropical cyclone season in the Atlantic Ocean in the Northern Hemisphere. The season began on June 1st and will end on November 30th. It has almost been two months since we’ve had a tropical storm in what has been one of the quietest starts to a hurricane season in decades! But the season is awakening with two disturbances that Forecasters are keeping an eye on. Activity is percolating. 

As of 8 am EDT, Tuesday August 30th, the National Hurricane Center of Miami, Florida, made reports for the Central Tropical and Eastern Tropical Atlantic. According to the hurricane center, one of the disturbances is a “broad and elongated area of low pressure located several hundred miles east of the Lesser Antilles producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms.” The report details that, although the environmental conditions are only marginally conducive, some gradual development of the system is to be expected over the next several days, and that a tropical depression is most likely going to form later in the week. There are two roadblocks that could hinder the development of the system for now, according to The Weather Channel, which are dry air, and unfavorable upper level winds. The disturbance is expected to slowly move toward the west and then west-northwest at 5-10 mph, toward the adjacent waters of the northern Leeward Islands. It has a 50% chance of formation through the next 48 hours, and a high 80% chance of formation through the next five days, as stated on the hurricane center. 

The second disturbance that was reported is a tropical wave, accompanied by a broad area of low pressure, located just off the west coast of Africa. The hurricane center states that the system could evolve into a short-lived tropical depression over the far eastern Atlantic during the next few days, and that, by late this week, the disturbance is expected to move over cooler waters. The forecast states, “Regardless of development, the system could bring locally heavy rainfall to portions of the Cabo Verde Islands by Wednesday.” Currently, the system is not a threat to Florida. It has a low 20% chance of formation through the next 48 hours, and a medium 40% chance of formation through the next five days. 

It is possible that high surf and rip currents generated by these two disturbances could reach the southeast US coast by late in the Labor Day weekend. The Weather Channel reports that, “For now, there’s nothing to be overly concerned about with these systems.” They also encourage people to make sure to have a plan in place in case of a hurricane and provide people with information about hurricane preparedness. For more information, head to https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes

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