Meteorologists are closely monitoring a tropical system that is showing signs of potential development into a hurricane, with predictions indicating a possible landfall along the west coast of the Florida Peninsula next week.
The system, currently centered near Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, is expected to gain strength as it moves northeastward over the warm waters of the eastern Gulf of Mexico.
According to AccuWeather, which has been tracking this system since mid-August, steering breezes are likely to guide the system toward the Florida Peninsula in the coming days.
Current conditions in the western Caribbean and western Gulf of Mexico have so far suppressed "organized tropical development" i.e the beginnings of a cyclone.
Forecasts suggest it could make landfall on the west coast of Florida next week (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)However, a significant change in conditions is expected to occur from Sunday into Monday, creating an environment conducive for the system to intensify and potentially develop into a named storm.
Beast from the East is coming back as Britain set to be blasted by snow
The eastern Gulf of Mexico is currently experiencing high water temperatures ranging from the middle 80s to near 90°F (Middle 20s to near 30C) which provides favorable conditions for rapid strengthening.
If the system develops into a named storm, it would be called Idalia, according to the list of tropical storm names for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season. However, if another tropical system forms elsewhere in the Atlantic before this disturbance develops further, the name Jose would be used.
Residents and authorities in areas from southeastern Mexico and western Cuba to the northeastern Gulf coast of the United States are advised to closely monitor the progress of this potential tropical system.
Starting on the weekend and persisting into Monday, areas of heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms will gradually come together and could present threats from flash flooding and harmful winds across parts of Central America, southeastern Mexico, and western Cuba. Likewise, heavy squalls developing over nearby waters may endanger small boats.
Circumstances are expected to worsen over the eastern Gulf of Mexico from the Florida Keys up to much of the west coastline of the Florida Peninsula and northward to part of the coast of the Florida Panhandle from Monday to Tuesday. The extent of wind, wave action, storm surge, and location of heaviest rain will rely on the path and intensity of the tropical system.
Some sites around the Florida Keys are being exposed to twice the amount of heat stress (AFP via Getty Images)It comes as the coral reef off southeast Florida is experiencing an unprecedented and potentially deadly level of bleaching this summer. Experts say this is because of rising ocean temperatures caused by climate change, federal scientists said Thursday.
Some sites around the Florida Keys are being exposed to twice the amount of heat stress that causes corals to die, and earlier in the year than ever before, scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in a telephone news conference. They said the phenomenon is likely to affect the Caribbean very soon and a global bleaching event could be just around the corner.
“We are quite concerned and worried and stressed about this event,” said Ian Enochs, a research ecologist at NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory. “It’s not a normal thing.”
Ocean surface temperatures off the Florida coast have risen to above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) this summer, but scientists said they won't know the extent of damage until early next year.
The Florida Coral Reef is the world’s third-largest, extending about 350 miles (563 kilometers) from the Dry Tortugas in the Gulf of Mexico to St. Lucie Inlet, about 115 miles (185 kilometers) north of Miami. The coral reef ecosystem sustains thousands of marine life species, protects against erosion and supports tourism based on scuba, snorkeling and fishing.
Beast from the East 2 fears as UK hit with snow and temperature falls to -10C
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
