Hurricane Season Update: Tropical Cyclone 18 Threatens U.S. as Rafael
Tropical Cyclone 18 may evolve into Storm Rafael, threatening the United States this week. Read on for its forecast trajectory and impacts.
Hurricane Season Update: Tropical Cyclone 18 Threatens U.S. as Rafael
As the nation turns its eyes toward the elections that come later this week, there are eyes glued to other screens-the weather experts. With a low-pressure system popping up in the western Caribbean, the system is already given a name: Potential Tropical Cyclone 18. That system has potential to threaten the United States by later this week-although that threat is anything but certain.
Status of Potential Tropical Cyclone 18
According to the NHC, potential tropical cyclone 18 brought hurricane watches and tropical storm warnings to the Cayman Islands and Jamaica. Another country expected to be involved is Cuba as this system moves forward. A senior meteorologist with AccuWeather, Dan Pydynowski, said it may develop into a tropical storm by tomorrow, presumably named Rafael. This can be more likely to become a hurricane if the storm crosses west of Jamaica instead of directly making a landfall.
Expected Impacts to the United States.
As significant as that may be, meteorologists are predicting Rafael will bring impacts of major importance to the central and eastern Gulf Coast. Pydynowski called on people living in those areas to keep a sharp eye out. “Even if it enters cooler waters and wind shear, which could cause an intensity reduction, wind and rain events of significant magnitude are still expected,” he said.
It has warned that the system would bring heavy rainfall to the western Caribbean and that most of the brunt will be taken by Jamaica and Cuba throughout the middle week. The concern for Jamaica and Cuba will be a lot on flooding and mudslides. Those in Florida Keys and other southeastern parts need to closely watch the storm.
Rough Hurricane Season
It has already written its name with massive destruction during this hurricane season. The United States has experienced five hurricanes during the season, the latest ones being storms Beryl, Helene, and Milton, which resulted in over 300 deaths and an estimated $130 billion in economic damage. Four hurricanes on record have made landfall on the continental U.S. in November. The last was Hurricane Nicole in Florida two years ago. The season remains open until November 30, so there is still potential for further developments.
Factors Contributing to the Storm’s Intensification
In analyzing tropical cyclone 18, meteorologists suggest that Caribbean conditions are already ripe to intensify. The temperature of the waters is already at mid-80s, and the low conditions of wind shear make a perfect atmosphere for development. What is now the issue for the people along the Gulf Coast is what will eventually happen when the storm advances north of western Cuba into the Gulf of Mexico, maybe by Wednesday. It may encounter stronger wind shear and cooler water as it moves toward the U.S., which could make it even weaker by the time it reaches the shore.
Hurricanes have already passed through Florida this season. The Milton hurricane spawned several destructive tornadoes, striking Palm Beach Gardens on 9 October 2024. Other potential dangers concern residents as hurricane season draws to a close.
Monitoring Other Weather Systems
The NHC noted that a trough of low pressure near the southern Bahamas has been producing showers and thunderstorms. However, all this activity will be consumed by the developing system that may become Rafael. More importantly,said that there is also active weather in the northern Caribbean and the southwestern Atlantic and reminded that the hurricane season is still weeks from an official end.
Conclusion
With the risk of Tropical Storm Rafael coming towards the Gulf Coast and southern U.S., now’s the time for precaution, as the uncertainty over these hurricanes makes this month really unpredictable. It’s no less than November to take precaution and stay safe due to its unpredictable nature when November still brings surprise showers sometimes.
FAQs
1. What is potential tropical cyclone 18?
Potential tropical cyclone 18 is a low pressure system in the Caribbean and may develop into Tropical Storm Rafael.
2. Where could Rafael potentially impact the U.S.?
Rafael is expected to impact the central and eastern Gulf Coast, with heavy rain and wind expected in the region.
3. What should residents do to prepare for the storm?
Residents in threatened areas should heed the National Hurricane Center and be prepared for anything, making appropriate arrangements for emergency supplies and evacuations as needed.
4. What conditions currently exist that favour storm intensification?
Warm ocean waters and low wind shear over the Caribbean Sea are allowing this system to continue strengthening.