.png)
The buzz around the Atlantic's weather scenario is real and with good reason. As we're approaching early September, which marks the zenith of the hurricane season, there’s an unsettling update: a tropical depression, soon to be named Storm Lee, is brewing, and it's on track to become a mighty Category 4 hurricane.
Tropical Depression 13 sprung to life on Tuesday, stationed almost 1,000 miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has shared that the depression might escalate into a tropical storm as early as later in the day.
But what makes this storm noteworthy? As it voyages west-northwest during the week, it will find itself in a cocktail of conditions that favor strengthening: abundant moisture, minimal wind shear, and unusually warm waters spanning its projected path. This prompts the NHC to maintain an aggressive intensity forecast, which, though preliminary, suggests that this depression is gearing up to transform into a formidable hurricane soon.
Come Thursday, if the system graduates to a hurricane, it will join the ranks of Don, Franklin, and Idalia, which have already been classified as hurricanes this season. As the weekend draws near, the anticipation builds: it’s likely to evolve into the third Category 3 or mightier hurricane of this season.
Its trajectory? The tropical Atlantic, with a close encounter with the Leeward Islands over the weekend. The eastern Caribbean belt, inclusive of the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, and the Bahamas, should stay alert and monitor updates. As for the US mainland, it's premature to comment on a direct impact. Nonetheless, the East Coast may still face the wrath in the form of menacing surf and rip currents, a testament to which was the unfortunate demise in New Jersey over the Labor Day weekend due to a rip current.
The upcoming Sunday, September 10, stands as a symbolic date – representing the climatological peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. Although the increase in tropical activities around this time isn’t unprecedented, its unpredictability can swiftly turn perilous.
Philip Klotzbach, a seasoned research scientist at Colorado State University, notes that the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season isn't just any regular season. It's been more active than average, beating several records including the number of named storms, hurricanes, and major hurricanes. So, while the beauty of nature is mesmerizing, it's crucial to stay informed and prepared! Stay safe!